By the Court.—Heard learned counsel for the petitioner as well as learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents and perused the record.

2. Time was granted to learned Standing Counsel to obtain instructions which he states that he has received. With the consent of learned counsel for the parties, this writ petition is being finally disposed of at this stage.

3. The case of the petitioner is that on the death of her husband, who was the fair price shop dealer, the petitioner moved an application for appointment as a dealer on compassionate ground. Provision of law for the compassionate appointment has been made in paragraph 10 (Jha) of the Government Order dated 17.8.2002. The said paragraph 10 (Jha) of the Government Order provides that in case, the fair price shop dealer had a good reputation, then the dependent of such dealer may be considered for appointment as fair price shop dealer. The dependent has been defined as wife, son and un-married daughter of the deceased dealer. The petitioner being the widow of fair price shop dealer, had applied for appointment as a dealer under the said provision.

4. By means of the impugned order dated 5th December, 2012 passed