Judgment 1. Heard the parties. 2. Petitioner has claimed to be an adopted son of late Yugeshwar Roy who died in service on 28.7.1996. According to petitioner, his application for compassionate appointment filed in March 1997 has still not been disposed of. 3. In the matters of compassionate appointment, the authorities are required to act with expedition and a final decision one way or other, must be taken within a reasonable time. If assertion of the petitioner is correct then it is an unfortunate situation and if this be the case then the concerned respondent, the District Magistrate-cum-Collector, Samastipur, is directed to take urgent steps to ensure that a final decision is taken with regard to the claim of the petitioner in accordance with law within a period of two months from the date of production/communication of a copy of this order before him. 4. This writ application is disposed of accordingly.