ASHOK KUMAR CHADHA Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is a petition to quash the order dated 1.8.1997 issued by the Government of Punjab under Rule 3(1) of the Punjab Civil Services (Premature Retirement) Rules, 1975 (for short the 1975 Rules) prematurely retiring the petitioner from service.

(2.) The facts on which there is no dispute between the parties are that the petitioner, who joined services as Civil Defence Instructor on 5.2.1964, received two promotions during the course of service. He was twice allowed to cross efficiency bar and was also given the benefit of proficiency step up w.e.f. 1.1.1986. The details of his promotions etc. are given below :

(3.) The respondents have defendant the petitioner's premature retirement from service by asserting that the competent authority has, after evaluation of the entire service record, come to the conclusion that his retention in service is not in public interest. The respondents have also pleaded that the instructions issued by the government do not preclude consideration of the service record of more than 10 years and, therefore, adverse remarks contained in the petitioner's Annual Confidential Reports for the year 1979-80 could legitimately be acted upon for the purpose of boarding him out of service.