Punjab-Haryana High Court
Lekh Ram Vasishta & Ors vs Hy.State Minor Irrigation Tubewell ... on 8 April, 2024
Author: Jasgurpreet Singh Puri
Bench: Jasgurpreet Singh Puri
Neutral Citation No:=2024:PHHC:048137
2024:PHHC: 048137
CWP-14792-1998 (O&M) -1-
211
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA
AT CHANDIGARH
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CWP-14792-1998 (O&M)
Date of Decision: 08.04.2024
Lekh Ram Vasishta and others
..... Petitioners
Versus
Haryana State Minor Irrigation Tubewell Corporation and others
..... Respondents
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASGURPREET SINGH PURI
Present: Mr. R.K. Malik, Senior Advocate assisted by
Mr. Sandeep Dhull, Advocate,
for the petitioners.
Mr. Narinder S. Behgal, AAG, Haryana.
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JASGURPREET SINGH PURI, J. (ORAL)
1. The present writ petition has been filed under Article 226 of the
Constitution of India for issuance of a writ in the nature of certiorari for
quashing the impugned order passed by the respondents by which the pay of
the petitioners have been reduced and recovery has been effected.
2. Learned Senior Counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted
that the petitioners have been deprived of their higher standard at par with
their juniors. While issuing notice of motion to the respondents on
17.09.1998, recovery was stayed and thereafter, the present writ petition was
admitted by this Court on 07.12.1998. He further submitted that the case of
the petitioners is covered by the judgment passed by the Hon'ble Supreme
Court in "Commissioner and Secretary to Government of Haryana and
others Vs. Ram Sarup Ganda and others", 2011(15) SCC 772 and
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Neutral Citation No:=2024:PHHC:048137
2024:PHHC: 048137
CWP-14792-1998 (O&M) -2-
submitted that in this way not only the recovery cannot be effected from the
petitioners but even otherwise also their pay has to be revised and refixed
and consequential benefits be given in accordance with the aforesaid
judgment.
3. On the other hand, Mr. Narinder S. Behgal, learned AAG,
Haryana submitted that as per his instructions, the respondent-Haryana State
Minor Irrigation Tubewell Corporation has already been wound up and is
not in existence as of today. However, he submitted that the employees, who
were working in the Haryana State Minor Irrigation Tubewell Corporation,
were absorbed/freshly appointed in different organizations of the
Government since the respondent-Corproation is not in existence, no such
direction can be issued in this regard.
4. After hearing the learned counsel for the parties and in view of
the peculiar facts and circumstances, this Court is of the view that if the
petitioners were working in the Haryana State Minor Irrigation Tubewell
Corporation and their case is covered by the aforesaid judgment of the
Hon'ble Supreme Court, then in that situation the petitioners cannot be
denied any relief because even if they have been absorbed or freshly
appointed in any other organization which the learned counsel for the parties
are not aware of, then an action has to be taken in this regard by the
respective departments.
5. In view of the above, it is directed that the concerned Secretary,
Department of Irrigation, Haryana will consider the aforesaid issue and
thereupon, after considering all the facts and circumstances, will pass an
order with regard to the prayer of the petitioners pertaining to the grant of
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higher standard pay-scale at par with their juniors in the light of the
judgment passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Commissioner and
Secretary to Government of Haryana and others Vs. Ram Sarup Ganda
and others (supra) within a period of six months from today.
6. The present petition stands disposed of.
08.04.2024 (JASGURPREET SINGH PURI)
Bhumika JUDGE
1. Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No
2. Whether reportable: Yes/No
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