NAVPREET SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Impugned herein is Special Audit Report dated 24.03.2015 (Annexure P-6), orders dated 07.07.2015 (Annexure P-7) passed by an Inspector and dated 07.10.2015 (Annexure P-8) passed by the Assistant Registrar Cooperative Societies, Ludhiana West, ostensibly in suo motu exercise of powers directing respondent No.7-society to recover an amount of Rs.1,41,976/- from the petitioner on account of the financial discrepancy pointed out in the audit report.

(2.) I have heard the rival contentions of the learned counsel appearing for the respective parties and have perused the return filed on behalf of respondent No. 7. A perusal of the stand taken by the society in its return reflects that the society had passed a resolution for appointment of the petitioner as salesman and sought necessary approval from the competent authority i.e. Joint Registrar, Cooperative Society.

(3.) In pursuance thereof, Deputy Registrar, Cooperative Society, Ludhiana recommended the case of the petitioner to the Joint Registrar and vide letter dated 24.08.2012, the necessary approval was granted to the society for appointment of the petitioner as salesman on DC rates. It is further submitted that after the retirement of the Secretary of the society, the petitioner was given the charge of the said post. Given that there was huge workload and involved extra duty hours, the society resolved vide resolution 01.03.2013 to pay an additional amount of Rs.8,000/- per month in addition to his salary as salesman on DC rates. It is this additional amount, which was paid to the petitioner that was directed to be recovered from the petitioner pursuant to Special Audit Report, which is stated to be wrongly prepared as per return of respondent No.7, para 12 thereof.