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STATE OF HARYANA AND ANR. versus DHAN SINGH

Citation: [1995] SUPP. 6 S.C.R. 175 · Decided: 04-12-1995 · Supreme Court of India · Bench: K. RAMASWAMY, K.S. PARIPOORNAN · Disposal: Appeal(s) allowed

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Judgment (excerpt)

STATE OF HARYANA AND ANR. 
v. 
OHAN SINGH 
DECEMBER 4, 1995 
[K. RAMASWAMY AND K.S. PARIPOORNAN, JJ.] 
Service Law: 
Punjab Civil Services Rules, Vol. III. 
Rule 6.16-B(a)-Appointment on Compassionate grounds:-
'Family'-Held, the moment the brother of a deceased employee crosses 18 
years he no longer remains to be dependent member of family of such 
deceased employee-Not entitled to appointment on compassionate grounds. 
A 
B 
c 
The State Government filed the instant appeal against the judgment D 
of the High Court directing appointment of brother of deceased employee 
who died in harness. 
Allowing the appeal, this Court 
Held : The High Court erred in giving direction to appoint the E 
brother of the deceased on compassionate grounds. The Government of 
Haryana by Circular dated 9.3.1999 and proceedings dated 31.10.1989 
decided to provide employment to one dependent member of the family of 
the employee who died in harness. As per the definition of 'family' given 
in Rule 6.16-B(a) of the Punjab Civil Services Rnles, Vol. III, applicable to 
Government of Haryana, a brother will be a member of the family as 
dependent if he is below 18 years. The moment he crosses 18 years, he no 
longer remains to be dependent member of the family of the deceased 
employee. [176-E, 177-E] 
F 
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Civil Appeal No. 12172 of G 
1995. 
From the judgment and Order dated 30.12.93 of the Punjab & 
Haryana High Court in C.W.P. No. 8419 of 1993. 
Ms. Indu Malhotra for the Appellants. 
H 
175 
176 
SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1995) SUPP. 6 S.C.R. 
A 
Prem Malhotra for the Respondent. 
B 
c 
The following Order of the Court was delivered : 
Leave granted. 
We have heard learned counsel on both sides. The question is 
whether the brother of the deceased employee who died in harness is 
eligible for employment on compassionate grounds. The High Court of 
Punjab and Haryana by order dated December 30, 1993 in C.W.P. No. 
8419/93 directed appointment of the brother of the deceased employee. 
Feeling aggrieved, the State has come up in appeal. 
The only question is whether the brother is a dependent of the 
deceased employee who died in harness. By proceedings dated October 
31, 1985, the Government had stated that the underlying idea to introduce 
the scheme was to help the bereaved family of a deceased employee 
D immediately by way of providing employment to one dependent of the 
deceased Government employee in addition to ex-gratia payment etc. The 
Government in an earlier Circular dated 9th March, 1979 had stated that 
the Government took the decision that the family members of the 
employee, who died while in service or retired due to disability would be 
given the facility of employment. Accordingly directions were given. The 
E word 'family' has been defined under Rule 6.16-B(a) of the Punjab Civil 
Services Rules, Vol.III applicable to the Government of Haryana which 
reads thus: 
F 
G 
H 
"6.16-B. (1) For the purpose of this rule : 
[a] "family" shall include the following relatives of the officer -
(i) Wife, in case of male officer; 
(ii) Husband, in case of female officer; 
(iii) Sons; [including step-children and adopted children] 
(iv) unmarried and widowed daughters; [including step-children 
and adopted children] 
( v) brothers below the age of 18 years and unmarried and widowed 
sisters, including step-brothers and sisters; 
(vi) Father; 
(vii) Mother; 
STATE v. DHAN SINGH 
[including adoptive 
parents in case of 
individuals whose personal 
law permits adoption] 
(viii) married daughters. and 
(ix) Children of a pre-deceased son. 
177 
A reading o.f this Rule would clearly indicated that for the purpose 
A. 
B 
of the above rules 'family' includes the wife, in case of male officer, 
husband, in the case of a female officer, sons, unmarried and widowed C 
· daughters [including step children and adopted children, brothers below 
the age of 18 years unmarried and widowed sisters [including step·brothers 
and sisters], father, mother [including adoptive parents in case of in· 
dividuals whose personal law permits adoption], married daughters and 
children of a pre·deceased son. It would thns be seen that in the case of a 
brother, he will be a member of the family as dependent if he js below 18 D 
years. If he seeks employment under the rules, he cannot be appointed if 
he is below 18 years and has not become major. The moment he crosses 
18 years, he no longer remains to be the dependent member of the fami

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