ORDER

1. Leave granted.

2. In 1997, a scheme was propounded by the appellants for compassionate appointment of the heirs of the deceased employee of the appellants. On 23-8-1996, the Indian Banks Association issued directions to the Banks regarding the nature of compassionate appointment. In compliance with the instructions so issued a scheme was formulated on 9-1-1997.

3. The respondents are the heirs of an employee of the appellants who died on 9-8-1996. Subsequent to the death of the employee, Respondent 1 made an application for the purpose of being appointed under the scheme as prevalent on the date of his father's death for an appointment. That was rejected on 9-1-1998.

4. In the meanwhile, on 9-1-1997, a new scheme in compliance with the IBA's instructions was published by the appellants. Therefore, after the rejection of his case, Respondent 1 filed another representation before the appellants on 27-1-1998 asking for reconsideration of his case in view of the revised policy. The appellants also rejected this representation after considering Respondent l's eligibility under the revised policy of 1997. The rejection which was made on 29-1-1999 was challenged by Respondent 1 by