THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE G. CHANDRAIAH W.P. No.33658 of 2010 ORDER: This writ petition has been filed seeking for issuance of Writ of Mandamus declaring the action of the official respondents in not considering the petitioners’ representations for their appointments as Village Coordinators as illegal, arbitrary, against the G.O.Rt. No.203 and guidelines of the 2nd respondent and against the principles of natural justice and consequently direct the respondents to dispose of the petitioners representations forthwith. The case of the petitioners, in brief, is that the 7th respondent, Mandal Parishad Development Officer, issued circular inviting applications from the eligible candidates for the post of Mandal Coordinator/Village Coordinators. The eligibility for the said posts are that the applicant should pass SSC, a resident of the respective village, not exceeding 35 years of age as on 01.04.2010, worked as Prerak/Nodel Prerak/Assistant Prerak / Nodal Assistant Prerak in continuing educational programme. Preference will be given to women and deprived section of the society. Pursuant to the said invitation and having requisite qualifications, the petitioners submitted their applications before due date with all requisite qualifications. As their applications are not considered by the 7th respondent, they made a representation to the 4th respondent, Vice-Chairman, who also not considered their applications and passed any orders. Hence, the present writ petition. On behalf of the respondents, counter affidavit has been filed, inter alia, admittedly submitting that the petitioners were not appointed as Village Coordinators due to the reasons that the 1st petitioner is aged about 36 years and whereas, in terms of G.O.Ms.No.203, dated 13.04.2010 the applicants should be less than 35 years of age. The Government has issued amendment to G.O.Ms. No.203 relaxing age from 35 years to 40 years vide G.O.Ms. No.378 dated 08.07.2010 but appointments were made for the post of Village Coordinators on 05.07.2010 i.e., prior to amendment, as such, her case is not considered for appointment as Village Coordinator. Insofar as, the 2nd petitioner is concerned, he has not applied for the post of Village Coordinator, as such, his candidature has not been considered. In respect of the 3rd petitioner is concerned, she is already working as a Village resource person and drawing an amount of Rs.1,000/- per month, as such, the Committee has not considered her application since the Committee has got the discretionary powers. As far as the 4th petitioner is concerned, he was over age by the time he applied as in the case of the 1st petitioner. Insofar as the 5th petitioner is concerned, the Committee has given priority to the marks secured in 10th standard hence the candidature of the 5th petitioner is denied. So far as the 6th petitioner is concerned, he is also over aged as in the case of the 1st and 4th petitioners. Coming to the 7th petitioner, he did not apply for the post of Village Coordinator, as in the case of the 2nd petitioner, as such, his candidature has not been considered. In view of the aforesaid reasons, the petitioners were not given appointment to the post of Village Coordinator. Therefore, the writ petition is devoid of merits and the same is liable to be dismissed. The learned standing counsel appearing for the respondents submits that it is the case of the petitioners that they made applications to the respondents and the same have not been considered but however, their applications were considered and but for want of requisite eligible criteria, the petitioners were not given appointment to the post of Village Coordinator. Having regard to the aforesaid categorical reasons submitted for not giving appointment to the petitioners and also having regard to the fact that the appointments have already been taken place on 05.07.2010, this writ petition can be disposed of with the following direction. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case and the submissions of the learned counsel, it is open for the petitioners to make application as and when the notification is issued, in which case, it is also open for the respondents to consider the case of the petitioners, in accordance with law, and pass appropriate orders. With the above direction, this writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. _________________________ JUSTICE G.CHANDRAIAH Date: 01.04.2011 LSK