MANJIT WALIA Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HAS the petitioner been harassed by the department despite the fact that she was honoured by the nation? First, the relevant facts.

(2.) THE petitioner was working as a Head Teacher in the Government Primary School, Gurdaspur. On September 5 1994, she was given a State Award for "valuable services to the community as a teacher of outstanding merit." Three years later, on September 5 1997, she was given the 'National Award' for being a "teacher of outstanding merit". On August 31, 1998 the petitioner attained the age of superannuation. It appears that the Government has issued instructions vide letter dated February 28, 1985 to provide incentives to teachers who win awards. Thus the petitioner was given extension inservice from September 1, 1998 to August 31, 2000. A copy of this order has been produced as Annexure P/10. However, before issuing the order of extension, the petitioner was asked to deposit the amount of Rs. 10,000/- which had been given to her by the Central Government while conferring the National award. She had made the deposit in pursuance to the directions given to her by the departmental authority. Still further she was not granted any increment during the period from September 01, 1998 to August 31. 2000.

(3.) THE petitioner complains that the action of the respondent authorities in forcing her to deposit Rs. 10,000/- was illegal. She further claims that she was entitled to the grant of two increments for the period of extended service from September 1, 1998 to August 31, 2000 from the due date. She prays that the order by which she was directed to make the deposit of Rs. 10,000/ -be quashed. The amount deposited by her be ordered to be refunded. She further prays that the respondents be directed to release the increments with all consequential benefits. She also claims interest.