When the petition by M Mary Metilda of Salem District came up for hearing, Justice S Nagamuthu directed the state Chief Secretary to submit a report on whether the government had any scheme for providing employment for dependents of members of armed forces who died in service.
"This court is not informed as to whether there is any scheme available with the government of Tamil Nadu to provide employment for the dependents of the members of armed forces who lost their lives while in service befitting their educational qualification. Since it involves a policy of the government, this court wants to know the stand of the government in this regard," the Judge said.
According to the petitioner, her husband Mariyaluis died due to illness on December 19, 2004 after serving the army as a soldier for 14 years, leaving behind his daughter, his aged parents and herself.
She made an application to the Salem District Collector on April 25, 2006 seeking an employment on compassionate ground which was registered in the special register for legal heirs of deceased military soldiers.
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When her name, along with six others, was sponsored by the Collector for appointment to fill four vacancies of Revenue Assistants in 2013, the Commissioner and Engineer of Mettur Municipality rejected it saying compassionate appointment can be given only in the place where the employee died while in service.
She alleged the Commissioner and Engineer, by citing the "lame" reason, were taking all steps to fill the four vacancies through the backdoor.
She sought an interim direction to keep one post vacant pending disposal of her petition.