WP(C) 5529/2006 BEFORE THE HON’BLE JUSTICE MR B.K. SHARMA Heard Mr. A.R. Sikdar, learned counsel for the petitioners as well as Mr . B.K. Sarma, learned Standing Counsel, Social Welfare Department. The two petitioners aspiring for the post of Supervisor and Peon against the selection conducted in the year 2005-06. The District for which they appear ed in the selection is Barpeta and in the merit list, their positions are at Sl. No. 109 and 19 under Roll No. 329 and 135 respectively. As per the counter affi davit filed by the respondents, total number of vacancies for the post of Superv isor was 28 and that of Peon 6(six). Thus, admittedly, the petitioners did not c ome within the zone of consideration for appointment. Since the petitioners were not within the zone of consideration, they could not have been appointed ignor ing the merit position. The plea of the petitioners that some of the selected ca ndidates were not sponsored by the Employment Exchange of the District and thus could not have been considered, is not acceptable, inasmuch as, in any public em ployment, opportunity to offer candidature must be given irrespective of whether the candidate had been sponsored by the Employment Exchange or not. In view of the above, no relief can be granted to the petitioner and con sequently, the writ petition is dismissed.