CHITRAWATI PATGIRI Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These batch of writ petitions pertaining to selection and appointment of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers. The grievance raised in these writ petitions and the relief sought for being one and the same, have been taken up for analogous hearing.

(2.) In tune with the said guidelines in the related advertisement inviting applications for the assignment of AWW and AWH it was specified that the candidates must be inhabitants of the Anganwadi Centre/Ward.

(3.) According to the Petitioners involved in these batch of writ petitions, the private Respondents who have been selected and appointed are not the residents of the area relating to the Anganwadi centre. As per the guidelines, the residential proof should be certified by the respective Gaonburha/Ward member of the Gaon Panchayat and/or Secretary/President of the Gaon Panchayat of their local jurisdiction. In some of the writ petitions although the private Respondents have placed reliance on the certificates purportedly issued by the Gaon burha/Ward Member of the Gaon Panchayat and/or Secretary/President of the Gaon Panchayat so as to prove their residential status within the Anganwadi area, but the Petitioners have disputed the same. According to the Petitioners, such certificates are being issued on approach being made without any cross verification. Thus, it is the grievance of the Petitioners that if the authorities had followed the aforesaid guidelines, the private Respondents could not have offered their candidatures and consequently would also not have been selected and appointed.