SURINDER PAUL SHARMA Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) In this joint petition, the petitioners have prayed for issue of direction to the respondents to count the service rendered by them in privately managed Government aided schools before taking over of the same by the Punjab Government for reckoning of 8 years and 18 years of experience for awarding proficiency step-up increments, senior scale/selection grade as well as pensionary benefits.

(2.) Petitioners were employed as Headmasters, Social Studies teachers, Art and Craft teachers, J.B.T. teachers, Clerks, Peons, Chowkidars etc. in various schools which were being aided by the Government of Punjab before their take-over by the Government.

(3.) In order to protect the conditions of service of the employees of the aided institutions, the Government of Punjab enacted the Punjab State Employees (Security of Service) Act, 1979 and framed rules known as Punjab Privately Managed Recognised Schools Employees (Security of Service) Rules, 1981. At the same time, it has issued various notifications and circulars for counting of the service rendered by the employees of private schools before their take-over by the Government for various benefits including the grant of proficiency step-up increment, selection grade etc.