PATASI DEVI Vs. GOMATI DEVI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS special appeal arises out of the judgment dated 9.4.2014 passed by learned Single Judge, by which he has allowed the writ petition and while setting aside the appointment of the respondent no. 6 dated 31.10.2013, gave liberty to the petitioner to file a representation before the Child Development Project Officer, Osian within a period of 15 days to reconsider the case of the petitioner for the post of Aanganwari Worker, while ignoring the subsequent circular dated 12.7.2013.

(2.) THE respondent was selected for appointment as Aanganwari Worker by the Gram Panchayat Bethwasiya in accordance with the then existing preferential qualifications. When the matter for issuing the appointment order was pending before the Child Development Project Officer, a new circular dated 12.7.2013, by which the qualifications were modified, was issued. Learned Single Judge found that the cancellation of selection of Smt. Gomati Devi, the respondent and the appointment of Smt. Patasi Devi, treating her qualifications in accordance with the circular dated 12.7.2013, was wrong, inasmuch as, the selection was already made by the Gram Panchayat. At the time of providing appointment, the existing circular was rightly considered by the Gram Panchayat because the subsequent circular dated 12.7.2013, was not in existence at that time.

(3.) IN our view, the judgment in State Bank of India & anr. V/s. Raj Kumar (supra) is not applicable to the facts of the present case. In the case in hand, the selection was already made before the new circular was issued modifying the eligibility. The Gram Panchayat had recommended the appointment of Smt. Gomati Devi in accordance with the existing circular and on which only formal order of her appointment was to be issued.