JUDGMENT

RAVEENDRAN, J.

This appeal by special leave is filed against the judgment dated 19.9.2005 of the Allahabad High Court in Special Appeal No. 615 of 2005 affirming the judgment dated 29.3.2005 of a learned Single Judge in CMWP No. 13032 of 2003.

2. The Appellant - Food Corporation of India (for short FCI), introduced a scheme for granting compassionate appointment to dependants of departmental workers, who died while in service or who were retired by FCI on medical grounds, vide Circular dated 2.2.1977. By a subsequent circular dated 3.7.1996, the said benefit of compassionate appointment was extended to dependants of departmental workers who sought voluntary retirement on medical grounds at their own request, subject to the conditions stipulated in the said circular. The conditions, in brief, are :

a) The worker should seek voluntary retirement on medical grounds before completing the age of 55 years.

b) Such request should be accompanied by a medical certificate issued by an Authorised Medical Officer, subject to verification by FCI.

c) The benefit of compassionate appointment shall be given only to a male dependant, (of the age group between 18 years and 30 years), that to