Mandamus issued to dispose of representation for Anganwadi Worker appointment per G.O. criteria within stipulated time.

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the 1^st respondent herein to dispose of the representation dated 14.07.2025 submitted by the petitioner seeking appointment as Anganwadi Worker in the Integrated Child Development Services Centre in the Venkatasamudram Centre, No.33630070126, Pappiraddypatti Taluk, Dharmapuri District in accordance with law by following the criteria for appointment as Anganwadi Workers stipulated in the Annexure to G.O.Ms. No.31, Social Welfare and Women Empowerment (SW-7(2)) Department dated 12.03.2025 within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

2. It is the case of the petitioner that she passed SSLC (X Standard) in April 2004 securing 416 marks out of 500 and completed the Higher Secondary Course in May 2009 securing 423 marks. Though she was initially absent for Accountancy and Business Mathematics, she subsequently appeared for the said subjects in September 2009 and successfully completed the Higher Secondary Course. Thereafter, she pursued higher education and obtained B.Ed. and M.A. degrees in the years 2017 and 2021 respectively. She studied Pedagogy of English at Sri Venkateshwara College of Education, Papparapatti, Dharmapuri District and is a native of Tamil Nadu.

3. It is the further case of the petitioner that she is a deserted woman, having been deserted by her husband for more than seven years and has not remarried. She has two children, a son and a daughter, and is solely responsible for their care and maintenance.

4. Meanwhile, the Government had issued G.O.Ms.No.31, Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Department, dated 12.03.2025, prescribing the revised/consolidated eligibility criteria for appointment to the posts of Anganwadi Worker, Mini Anganwadi Worker and Anganwadi Helper under the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme through Direct Recruitment. As per Clause 5 of the said Government Order, one of the essential conditions is that the applicant should be a resident of the habitation where the Anganwadi Centre is located.

5. A press release dated 05.04.2025 issued by the District Collector, Dharmapuri, notified vacancies for the posts of Anganwadi Worker, Mini Anganwadi Worker and Anganwadi Helper. The notification stated that only women candidates are eligible to apply and must be able to read and write in Tamil. The prescribed age limit is 25 to 35 years, with relaxation up to 40 years for destitute widows and SC/ST candidates, and 38 years for differently-abled candidates.

6. It is the further case of the petitioner that she, being fully qualified and eligible, submitted her application dated 11.04.2025 in the prescribed format for the post of Anganwadi Worker to the Integrated Child Development Scheme Centre at Papparapatti along with all required documents, including her educational certificates, Aadhaar Card, Destitute Woman Certificate dated 07.04.2025 and Community Certificate dated 24.05.2025 certifying that she belongs to the Most Backward Community.

The petitioner was called for interview on 26.05.2025 at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Papparapatti, by the Child Development Programme Officer, Dharmapuri, and she attended the same.

7. It is the grievance of the petitioner that despite being fully eligible and having participated in the selection process, she was not issued any appointment order for the post of Anganwadi Worker in Venkatasamudram Village, Papparapatti Taluk, Dharmapuri District. She submitted an application/representation dated 14.07.2025 and also participated in the grievance meeting on the same day. H