Compassionate appointment is an exception to the general rule of appointment which is a way of providing employment to the family of the deceased employee on compassionate grounds. The objective is only to provide solace and succour to the family in difficult times and, thus, its relevancy is at that stage of time when the employee passes away. The mere death of an employee in harness does not entitle his family to such source of livelihood. The authority concerned has to examine the financial condition of the family of the deceased, and it is only if it is satisfied that, but for the provision of employment, the family will not be able to meet the crisis that the job is offered to the eligible member of the family. It was further asseverated in the said judgment that compassionate employment cannot be granted after a lapse of reasonable period as the consideration of such employment is not a vested right which can be exercised at any time in the future. It was further held that the object of compassionate appointment is to enable the family to get over the financial crisis that it faces at the time of the death of sole breadwinner. Thus, compassionate appointment cannot be claimed or offered after a significant lapse of time and after the crisis is over.

Which of the following is not correct regarding the nature of appointment on compassionate grounds?

The correct statement that is NOT correct regarding the nature of appointment on compassionate grounds is: "The immediacy of the need is not the basis for the state to allow the benefit of compassionate appointment."

Step-by-step Explanation:

1. Analyze the Passage:

The provided text outlines the following key principles regarding compassionate appointment:

- It is an exception to the general rule of appointment to provide immediate financial relief (solace and succour) to the family upon the death of an employee.

- Its relevancy is specifically at the time when the employee passes away to help the family meet the sudden financial crisis.

- It cannot be claimed after a lapse of a reasonable period or a significant delay because it is intended to address immediate distress, not to serve as a perpetual right.

2. Evaluate the Options:

- Option 1: "A request for compassionate appointment by the dependent relatives of the deceased must be preferred without any undue delay." — Correct regarding the passage. The passage explicitly states that it cannot be granted after a lapse of a reasonable period.

- Option 2: "The general rule of appointment may not be always applicable to compassionate appointments." — Correct regarding the passage. The text begins by stating that compassionate appointment is an exception to the general rule of appointment.

- Option 3: "The immediacy of the need is not the basis for the state to allow the benefit of compassionate appointment." — INCORRECT regarding the passage. The passage emphasizes that the main objective is to provide immediate relief during the crisis at the time of death. Thus, the immediacy of the need is indeed the primary basis for granting such an appointment.

- Option 4: "It is a benefit given to the family members at the time of distress." — Correct regarding the passage. The text explicitly states its objective is to provide solace and succour to the family in difficult times.

Therefore, Option 3 is the false statement regarding compassionate appointments, making it the correct choice for this question.