DHARMVIR SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioners are working on different posts like Lecturers, Masters, Head Masters, Physical Training Instructors and Language Masters. They have approached this Court with the prayer that a writ in the nature of Mandamus be issued ''directing the respondents to grant 2/3 advance increments on acquiring Post Graduate qualification This claim has been made on the basis of the instructions issued by the State Government vide letter dated September 1, 1960. A copy of this letter has been produced as Annexure P -2 with the writ petition.

(2.) A written statement has been filed on behalf of the respondents. It has been submitted by way of a preliminary objection that the advance increments for a Post Graduate qualification were admissible prior to February 19, 1979. Relying upon the decision of a Division Bench of this Court in State of Punjab and others v. Joga Singh and others L.P.A. No. 374 of 1994 decided on February 20, 1996, the respondents claim that the petitioners are not entitled to the benefit of increments as claimed by them.

(3.) THE petitioners have not filed any replication to controvert the stand taken by the respondents.