JHUMA KUNDU Vs. STATE OF WEST BENGAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These writ petitions have been heard together and shall stand disposed of by this common judgment and order.

(2.) The petitioners, pursuant to an advertisement published on July 14, 2006 (hereafter the said advertisement), offered their candidature for recruitment as Anganwadi workers. They were selected and offered appointment by the Child Development Project Officer, Budge Budge - 1, South 24 Parganas (hereafter the CDPO), sometime in July 2007.

(3.) Memorandum dated Jan. 25, 2006 issued by the Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal (hereafter the relevant department) laid down the guidelines for selection of Anganwadi workers and Anganwadi helpers. Such guidelines were required to be followed to conduct the selection process initiated by the said advertisement. Qualification of Anganwadi workers through direct recruitment was laid down in sub-clause (b) of clause 7, providing for academic qualification. Sub-clause (b) is quoted below: