JASVIR KAUR Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This matter is being taken up for hearing through video conferencing due to outbreak of the pandemic, COVID-19.

(2.) The petitioner, who was appointed in the education department on the post of Punjabi Mistress vide order dated 08.08.2011, Annexure P-2, has filed this writ petition challenging Clause 5.0 (ii) of the Advertisement No. 4, Annexure P-l, issued by the Punjab Public Services Commission for the post of Principals as well as the proviso to Rule 5(1) of the Punjab Civil Services (General and Common Conditions of Services) Rules, 1994 to be discriminatory, arbitrary and hit by Article 14 of the Constitution of India.

(3.) It is contended that as per the said advertisement, relaxation qua the upper age limit for employees of Punjab Government, its Board, Corporation, Commission and Authorities employees, all States/ Central Government employees up to 45 years has been provided, but there is no age relaxation for the candidates serving Education department. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that relaxation has also been given to the ex-servicemen, physically handicapped persons and some other categories, but no relaxation has been provided for the employees of the Education Department. It is further argued that there should be parity and uniformity in the relaxation afforded to the various categories, as there is no rationale in affording variant relaxations.