(1.) Heard learned Counsel for the petitioners and the State.
(2.) The petitioners were applicants for various posts under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (hereinafter referred to as MANREGA). Written tests were held on 18.3.2007 and 25.3.2007 in which they have participated successfully. On 31.7.2010 the respondents published an advertisement in a Hindi daily "Hindustan" inviting online consent in order of merit for various posts specified in the advertisement. The advertisement also provided guidelines for working the website. On 1.8.2010 the respondents published a corrigendum with regard to the method for knowing and working website. Subsequently on 6.3.2010 and 6.8.2010 the respondents published notice in Hindi daily "Hindustan" referring to the invitation online for consent extending the date and then re-extending the date. The notice also clarified that giving of consent shall not tantamount to an appointment.
(3.) Learned Counsel for the petitioners submits that inviting online consent was wholly inappropriate. Every person is not possessed of computers and does not have easy access to computers. The respondents should have followed at least one more method by publication in news paper inviting such consent in writing. The applicants may be residing in non urban areas where computers are not easily available and/or power situation may not permit easy user of the same. The petitioners should be considered also and they are willing to forego any claim for seniority.