K RAJESWARL Vs. GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Writ Petition is directed against an order dated 6-11-1998 passed by the A.P. Administrative Tribunal in O.A. No. 3151 of 1998 whereby and whereunder the Original Application filed by the petitioner was dismissed. In the said Original Application, the relief claimed by the petitioner was as follows:

(2.) The question which arises for consideration is as to whether the petitioner could be appointed as Village Administrative Officer on compassionate grounds?

(3.) It is not in dispute that the petitioner's husband while working as Village Administrative Officer (VAO) died on 8-1-1997. She made an application for compassionate appointment within one year. However, the said application was rejected stating that the petitioner has crossed the age of (46) years and as such she is not eligible for appointment as V.A.O. as per Rule 8(2)(iii) of A.P. Village Administrative Officers' Service Rules, 1990 (for short 'the Rules'). It is also stated that there is no provision to relax any condition for appointment as V.A.O. on compassionate grounds as clarified by the Commissioner, Land Revenue, A.P., Hyderabad in Circular instructions No. A4/3579/96 dated 21-1-1997.