Heard Mr. B.N. Sarma, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mrs. Y. Longkumer, learned Govt. Advocate for the State respondents and Mr. Taka Masa, learned counsel for the respondents 3,4 and 5.

2. The case of the petitioner briefly stated is that the State Rural Development Agency (SRDA for short) .conducted interview through interview board for appointment to the post of Assistant Project Officer (APO) on 15.10.82 and 19.11.82. The petitioner was selected and placed at serial No. 5 of the list of the successful candidate. She was recommended for appointment. Thereafter, the petitioner pursued the matter for her appointment but she was not appointed on the basis of the said selection. However, by order dated 20.7.84, she was appointed to the post of APO by the Chairman of the SRDA on adhoc basis initially for a period of 4 months. The petitioner joined the post on 21.7.84.

3. In the year 1995, another interview was conducted by the Selection Board of SRDA for the same post of APO. The petitioner appeared before the Selection Board and was declared successful. On having been successful in the said selection test, the petitioner was appointed by order dated 13