JUDGMENT

Tejinder Singh Dhindsa, J. - Matter has been taken up through Video Conferencing via Webex facility in the light of the COVID-19 situation and as per instructions.

2. Petitioner seeks a writ of Mandamus for directing the respondent authorities to consider the candidature of the petitioner for the post of Pharmacist (Pharmacy Officer) under the reserved ESM (General Category) instead of the General Category.

3. Counsel for the petitioner has been heard at length and pleadings on record have been perused.

4. Facts of the case lie in a very narrow compass. The Department of Health and Family Welfare Punjab issued an advertisement dated 06.08.2020 inviting applications for filling up 482 posts of Pharmacist (Pharmacy Officer). Out of these 34 posts were reserved for ESM General Category. Last date for submission of online application was 06.10.2020 but the same was extended from time to time and upto 13.09.2020. The petitioner is stated to have submitted his online application on 25.08.2020 under the General Category. The scheme of selection included a written examination which was conducted on 11.10.2020 at Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot. Petitioner duly ap