ORDER

Though the respondents were served in SLP (C) No.21297-99/94, respondents 1 and 4 appear through counsel. In respect of respondents 2 and 3, neither A.D. Card nor unserved original notice have been received back. Under those circumstances, they must be deemed to have been served.

Leave granted.

2. It is contended by Shri Mahabir Singh, learned counsel for the appellants that the Selection Board has adopted a policy of calling the ex-servicemen and the dependent children of the ex-servicemen together to consider their cases for recruitment according to merit which would stand an impediment to the ex-servicemen. We find force in the contention. The object of reservation of the ex-servicemen is to rehabilitate them after their discharge from the defence services. As per the instructions issued by the State Government, in the absence of availability of the ex-servicemen instead of keeping those posts unfilled, the dependent children, namely, son or daughter of ex-servicemen would also to be considered. The object thereby would be that the Selection Board should first consider the claims of the ex-servicemen and have their eligibility considered independently in the first instance be