JOGA SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This order shall dispose of two writ petitions being CWP Nos.21291 of 2011 and 16213 of 2012 as the issue involved in both the cases is common. However, the facts are extracted from CWP No.21291 of 2011.

(2.) The petitioners are the seasonal permanent employees of the Patiala Cooperative Sugar Mills Ltd., Rakhra, a cooperative society registered under the provisions of the Punjab Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as the "Act"), and is a member of the Punjab State Federation of Cooperative Sugar Mills Ltd., Mohali at Chandigarh (hereinafter referred to as the "SUGARFED") which is also a cooperative society registered under the Act.

(3.) The grievance of the petitioners is that in the definition of "employee" used in the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (hereinafter referred to as the "VRS"), the seasonal permanent employees have been excluded, therefore, they have sought a declaration that the condition No.1 contained in Annexure P-26 is against the law.