SURINDER SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This judgment will dispose of C.W.P. No. 15240 of 1994 as well as C.W.P. No. 691 of 1994. In former writ petition, the point of law involved is as to whether a common seniority of all the Assistant Engineers for purpose of promotion to Class I service under Punjab Service of Engineers, Class II, P.W.D. (Public Health) Rules, 1966 (hereinafter called as Class II Rules) is to be maintained irrespective of the fact whether Assistant Engineer is designated as Assistant Engineer (Civil), Assistant Engineer (Mechanical) or Assistant Engineer (Electrical). Similarly in the latter writ petition mentioned above, the point of law involved is whether under the Punjab Service of Engineers, Class I, P.W.D. (Public Health Branch) Rules, 1961 (hereinafter called as Class I Rules) for purpose of promotion within Class I, a common joint seniority list in the ranks of Assistant Executive Engineers, Executive Engineers and Superintending Engineer is to be maintained irrespective of the fact whether an officer in a particular rank is designated to be belonging to civil, mechanical or electrical wing.

(2.) In the former writ petition, i.e., C.W.P. No. 15240 of 1994. the petitioner Surinder Singh, is working as Assistant Engineer (Mechanical) [also known as Sub Divisional Engineer (Mechanical)] in the Public Health Department in the State of Punjab, whereas in the latter writ petition. the petitioners are working as Executive Engineers in the Public Health Department in the Civil Engineering Wing.

(3.) Some Class II Rules as well as Class I Rules which would be relevant for the purpose of this case may be noticed. First we discuss Class II Rules.