Karnataka HC Secures Job for Age-Barred Widow on Compassionate Grounds in NWKRTC

Quick Summary

• The Karnataka High Court directed the North-West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) to appoint a 48-year-old widow, Ms.lakshmavva of gadag, to a Group D post under compassionate grounds.
• Ms. Lakshmavva had lost her husband, an NWKRTC employee, and had no alternate means of livelihood.
• Her request for compassionate appointment was initially rejected because she exceeded the age limit of 45 years at the time of applying.
• Justice Suraj Govindaraj considered it a special case due to her situation and emphasized the purpose of compassionate appointments: ensuring financial stability for dependents after an employee’s death.
• justice Govindaraj also urged NWKRTC’s Managing Director to create policies prioritizing humane considerations in such cases.

Indian Opinion analysis

The court’s decision underscores the importance of balancing procedural rules with sensitive consideration for extraordinary circumstances.Compassionate appointments serve as a vital safety net for families dependent on deceased employees,especially those without choice earnings or support systems. The exemption granted in this case reflects judicial recognition that rigid adherence to age limits may inadvertently penalize legitimate claimants in vulnerable situations.

Justice Govindaraj’s call for formulating humane policies could pave the way for more inclusive approaches among employers like NWKRTC while adhering to broader obligations toward their workforce and dependents during moments of crisis.

Read more: The Hindu