TAPAN KUMAR PATRA Vs. STATE OF WEST BENGAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Affidavit of service filed in Court today be taken on record. This matter appears under the heading "Old Cases".

(2.) Perusing the pleadings, it appears that the petitioner has approached this Court essentially seeking appointment on compassionate ground under the died-in-harness category upon the death of his father who was a Gram Panchayat Karmee in Akui-II Gram Panchayat, situated in the district of Bankura. The writ petitioner's father died on 31st July, 1986. It appears that the petitioner had earlier approached this Court sometime in the year, 1997 and obtained an order from the writ Court on 23rd October, 1997. Pursuant thereto, the proposal/prayer for appointment of the petitioner on compassionate ground under the died-in-harness category was taken up for consideration by the District Panchayat and Rural Development Officer, Bankura. By an order, as contained in a memo dated 7th August, 1998, the said authority rendered a decision in the matter, rejecting the proposal/prayer of the writ petitioner for appointment on compassionate ground under the died-in-harness category. This decision of the District Panchayat and Rural Development Officer, Bankura, is the subject-matter of challenge in the present writ proceeding.

(3.) Perusing the impugned decision, it appears that the same has been rendered in conformity with the directions given by this Court in its order dated 23rd October, 1997, and is also supported with cogent reasons. It has been categorically held, inter alia, that the petitioner's father, having died on 31st July, 1986, he could not have waited till 30th January, 1990, seeking compassionate appointment.