SOM DUTT Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS judgment shall dispose of four Civil Writ Petitions, bearing Nos.5482, 9797, 25016 and 24490 of 2014 as common questions have been raised in all these petitions. However, for adjudicating upon the issue, the facts are being taken from CWP No.5482 of 2014.

(2.) PRAYER made in this petition is for quashing the order dated 28.6.2013 (Annexure P -10) passed by the respondent - State, vide which, it has been conveyed that service period of the officers/officials working in Sugarfed/Sugar Mills cannot be extended. Petitioners have also prayed to quash the orders dated 14.3.2014 and 18.3.2014 (Annexures P -12 and 13), vide which they have been retired on attaining the age of 58 years.

(3.) THE petitioners are the employees in the Common Cadre of the Co -operative Sugar Mills. Their services are governed by the Punjab State Co -operative Sugar Mills (Comon Cadre) Service Rules, 1981 (for short "the 1981 Rules"). In the year 1995, the 1981 Rules were amended and as per amended Rule 2.95, the retirement age, which earlier was 60 years, has been fixed as 58 years.