OM PARKASH GARG Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner who is working as Assistant Director, Fisheries, prays for the issue of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents to release his bill for medical treatment/surgery at the Escorts Hospital, New Delhi. He also prays for the payment of expenses incurred by him for getting the Angiography done at the Christian Medical College, Ludhiana. The respondents contest this claim primarily on the ground that the petitioner had not given advance information in accordance with the instructions issued by the Government vide letter dated January 25,1991.

(2.) Counsel for the parties have been heard.

(3.) Mr. H.S. Sidhu, learned counsel appearing for the respondents, concedes that similar claims have been accepted by different Benches of this Court in Sadhu Ram Pall versus State of Punjab, 1994 1 SCT 552 and G.S. Randhawa versus State of Punjab, 1995 1 RSJ 853. In these cases, it has been held that the instructions issued by the Government have to be "read liberally and with an object to serve the purpose and the persons for whom they are meant." The defence of the respondents was described as frivolous. The action was struck down as arbitrary. A direction for the payment of the bills alongwith interest at the rate of 12% was issued.