AMRIK SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioners have impugned the selection of respondents Nos 4 to 25 as revenue Patwaris in this writ petition Reference to a few relevant facts is necessary to adjudicate upon the point in dispute

(2.) THE petitioners along with others were selected as Patwari candidates and were undergoing training at the State Patwar Training School, Jalandhar. The conditions of service of revenue Patwaris are governed by the Punjab Revenue Patwaris Class-III-Service Rules, 1966, for short the Rules The selection of the Petitioners as revenue Patwaris was challenged in Civil Writ Petition No. 7209 of 1987 and a Division Bench of this Court in Letters Patient Appeal No. 748 of 1987 upheld the selection. Respondents Nos 4 to 25 were working as Canal/ Irrigation Patwaris. They have been appointed as revenue Patwaris by transfer which is not permissible under the Rules. Their selection has prejudicially affected the petitioners.

(3.) RESPONDENTS Nos. 1 and 2 in their joint written statement denied the allegations made in the petition and stated that the petitioners on completion of the course and practical training in December, 1990 will be considered for posting as Patwaris in January, 1991. The appointment by transfer of respondents Nos 4 to 25 were justified under the Rules. The respondents Nos. 4 to 7, 9 to 23 and 25 also filed written statement and justified the appointment under the Rules.