1. Heard counsel for the parties.

2. Initially this application was filed for a direction to the respondents to make payment of arrears of salary to the petitioner since February 1998 and also the current salary. However, during the pendency of this writ application, the petitioner was terminated vide order, as contained in memo no. 3173 dated 1.12.2000, which was made available to the petitioner in January 2001, and, therefore, by amendment application the order of termination, as contained in annexure 18 has been challenged.

3. Short facts giving rise to this application are as follows: The petitioner after passing Matriculation examination joined the Primary Teachers Training College, Madhepura for two years training in 1975 and pursuant to the advertisement dated 21.10.1976, issued in Aaryavarta, inviting applications for preparation of panel for appointment as Assistant Teachers in Primary/Middle Schools in the District of Purnea the petitioner applied. The petitioner thereafter appeared before the interview board on 17.11.1976 and she was finally selected and a panel was prepared for appointment as an assistant teacher in the District of Purnea in accordance with the