S.S. BINDRA Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS order will dispose of a bunch of 100 petitions mentioned above. According to learned Counsel for the Petitioners, all the writ petitions involve common question relating to claim of the writ Petitioners for revision of age of retirement to 65 years. The said claim is based on letter dated 31.12.2008 of the Government of India addressed to the University Grants Commission (UGC) followed by letter of the Government of India dated 11.5.2010 to the Education Secretaries of all State Governments and notification of University Grants Commission (Minimum Qualifications for Appointment of teachers and other Academic Staff in Universities and Colleges and other Measures for the Maintenance of standards in Higher Education) Regulations, 2010.

(2.) A bunch of petitions came up for hearing before learned Single Judge who vide order dated 4.10.2010 referred the matter to the Division Bench as follows:

(3.) BASED on consideration of the said report, the Government of India vide letters dated 23.3.2007 conveyed its decision to revise age of superannuation of all persons holding teaching position as on 15.3.2007 to 65 years and also provided for re -employment of such teachers up to the age of 70 years. The said age was applicable to "Centrally funded higher and technical education institutions coming under the purview of this ministry in order to overcome the shortage of teachers." Thereafter, vide letter dated 31.12.2008, Annexure P.3, scheme for revision of pay scales was conveyed by the Ministry of HRD to the UGC. Therein, issue of age of superannuation also figured in para 8(f). The said para alongwith sub para (p) of para 8 are reproduced below: