JUDGMENT

Raju, J.-Special leave granted.

2. The appellant herein was selected to open a 24 hours Medical Store in the Campus of Sub-divisional Hospital, Patnagarh, District Bolangir, Orissa, pursuant to the advertisement made by the Government of Orissa published on 12.10.1996 inviting applications from the unemployed registered Pharmacists (Gents and Ladies) or persons having medical shops, who have engaged registered Pharmacist/person who undertakes to engage a registered Pharmacist. It appears, apart from the appellant and the fifth respondent herein who was the writ petitioner before the High Court, three others also submitted their applications. The first respondent by the orders dated 12.5.97 selected the appellant taking into account the guidelines governing such selection, the revised and latest of which were said to have been issued on 26.5.97. The selection of the appellant, apart from the fact that she was found eligible, was on account of preference shown to her as a lady applicant in furtherance of and giving effect to the Policy-decision of the Government to provide self-employment opportunities to ladies. Pursuant to such selection and in compliance with the terms of t