RANJAN GOGOI,J. - (1.) Leave granted.
(2.) In the year 1999, to be precise on 12 th February, 1999, the Rourkela Steel Plant (hereinafter referred to as "RSP") introduced a Voluntary Retirement Scheme, 1999 covering employees who had served for a minimum of 15 years or who are above 40 years of age. Thereafter by Circular dated 9th August, 1999 the RSP floated another scheme called "Scheme for Allotment of Quarters to Ex-employees Separating under the SAIL VRS Scheme, 1999". Under the said Scheme of 1999, employees of the RSP who were allotted official quarters were allowed to occupy such quarters on licence basis for a period of 22 (twenty two) months following their leaving the RSP/Company on the basis of voluntary retirement.
(3.) The respondents, 53 (fifty three) in number, were allotted quarters by the RSP and had opted for voluntary retirement under the Scheme. Accordingly, they were allowed to retain the official quarters for a period of 22 (twenty two) months which period was extended. Thereafter, the RSP came up with another Scheme called "Sail Scheme for Leasing of Houses to Employees, 2002". This was on 22nd July, 2002. The said Scheme of 2002 contemplated allotment of houses/flats on long term lease basis (33 years) to serving employees. Ex-employees like the respondents-writ petitioners were excluded from the purview of the scheme.;