Mansoor Ahmad Mir, C.J.

Batch of Letters Patent Appeals and Writ Petitions emanates from a policy, dated 18th January, 1990, framed by the State Government, for providing employment assistance on compassionate grounds to the dependant of a government servant, who dies in harness, leaving behind his family in immediate need of assistance, (hereinafter referred to as the Policy). Thus, all the appeals and the writ petitions were clubbed together and are being disposed of by this common judgment.

2. Before we deal with the Policy and the applicability thereof viz. a viz. to the facts of the each case, we deem it proper to find the origin and rationale behind granting compassionate appointment.

3. It is well settled principle of service jurisprudence that every appointment against a public post must be made strictly in consonance with the mandatory provisions of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India and as per the Rules occupying the field. Any selection/appointment made de hors the Rules, is illegal. However, an exception has been carved out for providing employment on compassionate ground. The aim and object of granting appointment on compassionate ground is to pr