In the absence of statutory rules, the competent authority has the power to prescribe qualifications, including minimum age requirements, for appointment to public posts through executive instructions.

ORDER

Heard Mr. K. Kashyap, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. J. Handique, learned Standing Counsel, Revenue Department for respondent No. 1 and Mr. D. Bora, learned State Counsel for the respondent Nos. 2 & 3.

2. Challenge made in this writ petition is to the advertisement dated 01.06.2018, issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Barpeta, whereby applications were invited from local people for filling up the vacant post of 07 No. charge Gaonburah of Baguribari Mouza under Chenga Revenue Circle, as regard the Clause 2, which provides the minimum qualification to the effect that the age of the applicant shall be 35 years or above as on 01.01.2018 and shall be HSLC passed, equivalent to the same from the Government of Assam recognized board/institution.

3. The petitioner claims that he passed Assam High Madrassa Examination in the year 2015 and his date of birth is 01.01.1999. The Deputy Commissioner, Barpeta, vide advertisement dated 01.06.2018, invited an applications from local people to fill up the vacant post of 07 No. charge Gaonburah of Baguribari Mouza under Chenga Revenue Circle. The advertisement, inter alia, provides the minimum age of the applicant to be 35 years or above as on 01.01.2018.

4. It is the contention of the petitioner that in earlier advertisements for appointment of Gaonburah, there was no prescription of age. However, in the subsequent earlier advertisements, the age was fixed to be 21 to 40 years. According to the petitioner, the prescription of minimum age of 35 years is arbitrary as there is no rational behind such prescription by departure from the earlier practice for appointment of Gaonburah. It is further contended that had the age of the applicant is not fixed to be 35 years or above, the petitioner would have been eligible in all other aspect.

5. Mr. J. Handique, learned Standing Counsel, Revenue Department, by placing the Notification dated 26.08.2021, issued by the Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Assam, Revenue and D. M. Department, submits that after the impugned advertisement dated 01.06.2018, issued by the Deputy Commissioner, Barpeta, the State has amended the executive instruction by reducing the requirement of 35 years of age for appointment of Gaonburah to 30 years. Therefore, he submits that the authority will issue a fresh advertisement in terms of the said notification wherein the age of 35 years has been brought down to 30 years. However, in any case, the petitioner would not be eligible as he has not completed 30 years of age.

6. I have considered the submissions of learned counsel for the parties and also perused the materials on record, particularly the Notification dated 26.08.2021, issued by the Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Assam, Revenue and D. M. Department.

7. The challenge to the impugned advertisement dated 01.06.2018 is essentially with regard to the requirement of 35 years of age or above for appointment of Gaonburah in terms of the executive instructions issued by the State Government. At the time of filing of the writ petition challenging the impugned advertisement, the petitioner was about 20 years of age, which was far below the prescribed minimum age requirement and even today the petitioner has not completed 30 years of age.

8. This Court, while issuing the notice on 25.07.2018, suspended the impugned advertisement dated 0