(1.) THE petitioner, whose name was sponsored by the Employment Exchange for selection to the post of Forma Carrier as well as the Counter in Assam Government Press, by the present petition has challenged the list dated 6th December, 2008 published by the Director of Printing and Stationary, Government of Assam, selecting the candidates for practical test for the posts of Forma Carrier as well as Counter and also praying for a direction to the State respondents to consider his case for appointment as Forma Carrier in the Assam Government Press, on compassionate ground.
(2.) THE Director, Printing and Stationary notified certain vacancies to the Director of Employment and Craftsman Training, Assam vide communication dated 17th April, 2008 requesting to sponsor the names for selection against 1 (one) post of Junior Mechanic, 9 (nine) posts for Forma Carrier, 1 (one) post of Paste-up-Artist and 6 (six) posts of Counter in Assam Government Press. THE Employment Exchange sponsored the names of the petitioner as well as the present respondents alongwith others and accordingly interview was conducted on different dates between 17th November, 2008 and 25th November, 2008. Records reveal that on the basis of the performance of different candidates in such interview, a list was prepared and published by the Director of Printing and Stationary on 10th December, 2008 containing the names of candidates found suitable for practical test, wherein the names of the private respondents appeared. THE petitioner's name, however, does not find place in such list.
(3.) MR. Baruah, the learned counsel for the petitioner submits that since he applied for appointment on compassionate ground and this Court vide order dated 26th September, 2003 directed the State respondents to consider his case for such appointment, the respondent authorities are duty bound to consider the case before initiating any process for selection, as has been done in the instant case. According to MR. Baruah, though he appeared in the selection pursuant to the process initiated by the Director, his case for appointment on compassionate ground has to be considered, he having applied for the same, even though his name does not appear in the list prepared by the authority on the basis of the merit, i.e. on the basis of the marks secured in such interview. MR. Baruah, therefore, submits that the necessary directions may be issued to the respondent authorities to consider his case for appointment on compassionate ground in terms of the policy decision taken by the Government in that regard, which, according to MR. Baruah, has not been done till date by the authority, as reflected in the communication dated 1st April, 2006 issued by the Director of Printing and Stationary.