Khijo Devi v. The State Of Bihar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.4883 of 2023 ====================================================== Khijo Devi W/o Late Pradip Uraon resident of Village- Basgama, P.S.- Sadar, District- Purnia, ... ... Petitioner

Versus

1.

The State of Bihar through the Principal Secretary, Urban Development and Housing Department, Government of Bihar.

2.

The Collector-Cum-head, District Compassionate Committee- Purnia. 3.

The Municipal Commissioner, Nagar Nigam, Purnia. ... ... Respondents ====================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner/s :

Mr.Ashutosh Kumar Jha, Advocate For the Respondent/s :

Mr.Subhash Pd. Singh (GA3) Mr.Ghanshyam Sharma, AC to GA-3 ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE RAJEEV RANJAN PRASAD ORAL ORDER 26-04-2023 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner, learned counsel for the State and learned counsel for the Municipal Commissioner, Nagar Nigam, Purnia.

Petitioner, in the present case, is seeking a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents to make appointment of the petitioner on compassionate ground. The husband of the petitioner was a regular employee of the Nagar Nigam, Purnia on the post of 'Kullie'. He is said to have died in harness on 29.11.2014. The request of the petitioner for her appointment on compassionate ground is pending with the competent authority since 22.07.2015 (Annexure '2' to the writ application).

It appears on perusal of the writ application that the

Patna High Court CWJC No.4883 of 2023(2) dt.26-04-2023 2/3 petitioner has been running from pillar to post for redressal of her grievance but the respondents are sitting tight over the matter and they are not taking appropriate steps to redress the grievance of the petitioner.

Learned counsel for the Nagar Nigam submits that the case of the petitioner has been considered by the District Level Compassionate Appointment Committee headed by the Collector, Purnia and the Committee has sought some guidelines from the Department of Urban Development Department, Government of Bihar.

It is submitted that very soon an appropriate decision shall be taken in the matter of appointment of the petitioner on compassionate ground.

In the given facts and circumstances, this Court directs the Principal Secretary, Urban Development and Housing Department, Government of Bihar (respondent no. 1), the Collector-cum-Head of the District Compassionate Appointment Committee, Purnia (respondent no. 2) and the Municipal Commissioner, Nagar Nigam, Purnia to act in tandem with each other and take an appropriate decision regarding appointment of the petitioner within a period of two months from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this order.

Patna High Court CWJC No.4883 of 2023(2) dt.26-04-2023 3/3 The respondent will remember that almost nine years have gone after the death of the deceased employee and during this period the request of the petitioner has remained pending consideration. This speaks of inaction on the part of the respondents in dealing with the matters relating to appointment on compassionate ground.

This Writ Application stands disposed of, accordingly. (Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, J) Rajeev/- U