In Brief
A widow sought compassionate appointment following the death of her husband, a Sergeant in the Indian Air Force, leaving her and two minor children. She received Rs 8,265 per month in family pension, which would reduce to Rs 4,959 per month after ten years. The Central Administrative Tribunal and High Court ordered reconsideration of her claim, holding that the current pension was 'ad hoc' and should not have been used to award merit points. The Supreme Court reversed this, holding that compassionate appointment is not a right but temporary relief for financial hardship. Authorities may properly consider pension received on the date of application, and future reductions are not relevant. The judgment was set aside and the rejection upheld."
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