WP(C) 1859/2009 BEFORE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE B.K. SHARMA Heard Mr. P. Pathak, learned Senior counsel assisted by Ms. R. Biswas, learned c ounsel appearing for the petitioners. Also heard Ms. R. Chakraborty, learned Add itional Government Advocate alongwith Mr. R.K. Bora, learned State Counsel. This writ petition has been filed by the Assam Forest Rangers’ As sociation represented by its General Secretary making a grievance against the An nexure- G Notification dated 30-4-2009 by which the earlier Notification dated 8 -2-2006 (Annexure- F) was cancelled. The Annexure-F Notification dated 8-2-2006 was issu ed classifying/restructuring the Assam Forest Service(Class-I), as indicated in the notification. As p er the notification the category of Forest Rangers was inserted as Class-I Junio r Grade. That position continued till issuance of the impugned Annexure- G Notif ication dated 30-4-2009 by which the Annexure- F Notification dated 8-2-06 was c ancelled without assigning any reason. Admittedly the petitioners were also not put to any kind of notice before issuance of the impugned notification and thus their service conditions were sought to be altered without providing them any op portunity of being heard. Mr. P. Pathak, learned Sr. Counsel for the petitioners has draw n my attention to Annexure- E Circular dated 30-4-2005 in which it was indicated that the category of Forest Rangers was conferred with the gazetted status vide notification dated 9-12-83. In the counter affidavit filed by the respondents the only plea taken is that the Annexure- F Notification dated 8-2-06 was issued without appr oval of the Personnel(B) Department. This plea in the affidavit is belied by the fact that the said notification dated 8-2-06 itself speaks of the approval of t he Personnel(B) Department vide their Endorsement dated 7-2-2006. I have perused the files produced by Ms. R. Chakraborty and on perusal of the same what transpires is the objection of the words Class-I in co nformity with ACS(Class-I) appearing in the Notification dated 8-2-06. However nothing is discernible as to how the benefits sought to be conferred on the Fore st Rangers are vitiated in view of the mentioning of the said words. Mr. Pathak, learned Senior counsel for the petitioners fairly s ubmits that if the insertion of the said words Class-I in conformity with ACS ( Class-I) is the objection leading to the issuance of the impugned order dated 30-4-09, the respondents could have made necessary modification/alteration inste ad of canceling the entire notification conferring the Class-I gazetted status to the Forest Rangers under the Assam Forest Service(Class-I) Rules, 19 42. Considering the matter in its entirety this Writ Petition is d isposed of by setting aside and quashing the Annexure - G dated 30-4-09 and res toring the notification dated 8-2-06. However, it is made clear that if the resp ondents oppose the aforesaid words Class-I in conformity with ACS(Class-I) the y would be entitled to delete the same without however disturbing the rank and s tatus of Forest Rangers as AFS(Class-I) Junior Grade Officers. Writ Petition is allowed to the extent indicated above.