VIDYA BHUSHAN Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The controversy here is with regard to the inter se seniority of Sub-Inspectors in the Food and Supplies Department, Punjab.

(2.) The petitioners are amongst a batch of Sub-Inspectors appointed as such in June 1971. The appointment of these Sub-Inspectors was not made by an authority competent to do so, but their services were eventually regularised with effect from January 1, 1973. The respondents on the other hand were appointed by the competent authority, but on an ad hoc basis in November, 1972. Later, by an order passed on June 28, 1973, Annexure P/3, their services too were regularised.

(3.) Earlier too there arose a contest regarding inter se seniority between the 1971 and the 1972 batch of appointments to the posts of Sub- Inspectors. This was eventually resolved by this Court in Amar Singh Vs. State of Punjab, 1983 3 SLR 264, where, it was held that the appointment of the 1971 batch came to be governed by the relevant service rules only with effect from the date when their services were regularised namely January 1, 1973, whereas, the respondents, i.e. the 1972 batch had been appointed with effect from 1972 and therefore, they would rank senior to the 1971 batch.