WP(C) 4743/2010 BEFORE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE T.VAIPHEI Heard Mr. H.Talukdar,learned counsel for the petitioner and Mrs M.Gogoi, learned Standing Counsel, Education department as well as Mr K. Das,learned cou nsel for the B.T.C. In the course of motion hearing Mrs. M.Gogoi, learned S.C,Education department h as pointed out that as the petitioner was a minor at the time of death of his fa ther he could not now, after 5 years of the death of his father apply for co mpassionate appointment. I have considered the contentions of the learned State counsel. It is settled law that the application for compassionate appointment s hould be made with promptitude. In a case of State of Manipur Vs.Rajauddin, 2003(7) SCC 511 , the Apex Court af ter reviewing the case laws reiterated the legal position that the purpose of p roviding compassionate appointments is to mitigate the hardship caused due to th e sudden death of the earning member of the family. It is to alleviate the distr ess of the family that such appointments are made. But this consideration cann ot operate when the application is made after a long delay. Faced with this situ ation, the learned counsel for the petitioner prays for allowing the petitioner to withdraw this petition with a liberty to approach the appropriate authority f or the appointment of his mother in the post held by her. This writ petition is disposed of in the above direction.