The Chief Engineer/Personnel, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and The Superintending Engineer, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board vs K. Lakshmi

Markandey Katju, C.J.—This writ appeal has been filed against the impugned judgment of the learned single Judge dated 25.11.2003.

Heard the learned counsel for the parties.

The respondent is a widow with five children, of which four are minor daughters. Her husband was an employee of the appellants, who died

while in service on 6.7.2000.

The respondent made an application for compassionate appointment which was rejected, and against that order she filed a writ petition which

has been allowed by the learned single Judge. We have perused the judgment of the learned single Judge and find no infirmity in the same.

We fully agree with the learned single Judge that the Electricity Board should consider the application of the writ petitioner for appointment on

compassionate grounds on merits and in accordance with law and without reference to the educational qualification as she is a widow with five

children. In fact we feel that the Electricity Board should have itself taken a humanitarian and sympathetic approach towards the writ petitioner

since her husband was their employee, and should not have compelled her to come to court. The Electricity Board should behave like an ideal

employer who looks after its employees and takes care of the widows and children of its employees who die in harness. In that way it will get

respect and regard of its employees as well as the public.

With the above observations the writ appeal is dismissed. No costs. Consequently WAMP No.898 of 2005 is also dismissed.