DARSHAN SINGH SANDHU Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This petition has been filed to quash the order (Annexure P-18) dated 20.4.1992 and to direct the respondent to grant the selection grade to the petitioners with effect from 1.1.1987.

(2.) In order to decide the claim of the petitioners, it would be useful to take cognizance of some facts. Petitioner No. 1, Darshan Singh Sandhu, was accepted as Naib Tehsildar candidate w.e.f. 1.5.1955. He was promoted as Tehsildar on 29.6.1962. He was appointed to Punjab Civil Service (Executive Branch) from Register A-1 w.e.f. 2.7.1979 against a vacancy which occurred in the year 1974. Petitioner No. 2 Baj Singh Bhullar, was appointed as Naib Tehsildar on 8.5.1955. He was promoted as Tehsildar on 22.9.1961. He was appointed to Punjab Civil Service (Executive Branch) on 2.7.1979 against the vacancy of the year 1974. Petitioner No. 3, Baldev Singh, was appointed as Naib Tehsildar on 16.6.1970. He was promoted as Tehsildar on 31.5.1979 and then to Punjab Civil Service (Executive Branch) on 2.7.1979 against the vacancy of 1974. Petitioner No. 4, Hardip Singh Sandhu, was appointed as Naib Tehsildar on 1.10.1955. He was promoted as Tehsildar on 5.5.1972 and then to Punjab Civil Service (Executive Branch) on 2.7.1979 against the vacancy of 1974. Petitioner No. 5 Om Prakash, was appointed as Naib Singh on 10.10.1960. He was promoted as Tehsildar in May, 1976 and then to Punjab Civil Service (Executive Branch) on 2.7.1979 against the vacancy of 1975. Petitioner No. 6 Harbhajan Singh Sodhi, was appointed as Naib Tehsildar in the year 1960. He was promoted as Tehsildar on 29.4.1975 and then to Punjab Civil Service (Executive Branch) against the vacancy of the year 1975.

(3.) For grant of selection grade in terms of provisions contained in Rule 24 of the Punjab Civil Service (Executive Branch) (Class 1) Rules, 1976 (hereinafter referred to as the Rs. 1976 Rules'), the petitioners filed Civil Writ Petition No. 15531 of 1989. The learned Single Judge disposed of the Writ Petition on 17.2.1992 by directing the respondent to decide the matter within two months. In compliance of this direction, the Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab, passed the impugned order (Annexure P-18) and rejected the claim made by the petitioner for grant of Selection Grade w.e.f. 1.1.1987.