JOGA SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal has been preferred against the order of learned Single Judge dismissing the writ petition of the appellants seeking quashing of rules on the ground that the same denied equal opportunity for carrier advancement to the appellants.

(2.) Case of the appellants is that they joined as Project Manager with the Industries Department of Punjab and were governed by Punjab Industries Non Technical (Group A) Service Rules, 2005. The rules provide promotion to higher posts i.e. Deputy Director and General Manager from the cadre of Assistant Director, Assistant Director (Data), Assistant Collector of Stores, Store Inspection Officers, Research Officer and Functional Managers who are members of the Punjab Industries Service (Class II) and who have an experience of working as such on either of these posts for a minimum period of eight years to the extent of 65%. Remaining 35% quota is to be filled up by promotion from the Project Managers.

(3.) Grievance of the appellants was that different cadres mentioned above could not be clubbed together for purposes of further promotion. As a result of the said clubbing, since 1992 no person holding the post of Project Manager was able to get further promotion, while persons appointed to other cadres clubbed as above, got opportunities for promotion.