High Court of Punjab and HaryanaCWP/521/2023disposed of

Manjit Singh And Others v. State Of Punjab And Others

2023-01-12Mr. Justice Pankaj Jain2 pages

CWP No. 521 of 2023 115 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP No. 521 of 2023 Date of decision : January 12, 2023 ASI/CR Manjit Singh and others ...... Petitioners

Versus

State of Punjab and others ...... Respondents CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PANKAJ JAIN *** Present :-Mr. K. K. Thakur , Advocate for the petitioners.

*** PANKAJ JAIN, J. (ORAL) The petitioners have preferred present petition under Article 226/227 of the Constitution of India seeking writ in the nature of mandamus in the form of direction to the respondents to release all arrears of dearness allowance. The petitioners claim that though similarly situated employees have been granted the relief but they have been denied the same without any cogent reason. Learned counsel for the petitioners relies upon the order dated 2.12.2022 (Annexure P-9) and submits that in light thereof the petitioners have already served a legal notice dated 4.12.2022 placed on record as Annexure P-10. He further submits that at this stage, he would be satisfied if the respondents are directed to decide the legal notice within a time bound frame. ARCHANA ARORA 2023.01.12 17:30 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this order/judgment

CWP No. 521 of 2023 Notice of motion.

Mr. Inderjeet Singh Kang, Assistant Advocate General, Punjab who is present in Court accepts notice on behalf of the respondents and does not dispute the letter dated 2.12.2022 (Annexure P-9).

Resultantly, the writ petition is disposed off with a direction to respondent No.1 to decide the legal notice dated 4.12.2022 (Annexure P-10) within a period of three months from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order. In case, the petitioners are found entitled, their claim be released within a period of four weeks thereafter along with interest (if any) granted to the similarly situated persons.

In case, the respondents feel that petitioners are not entitled for the same he shall pass a speaking order. Any further delay shall entail interest @ of 18% per annum and the same shall be recoverable from the personal pocket of respondent No.1.

( PANKAJ JAIN ) JUDGE January 12, 2023 archana Whether speaking/reasoned Yes Whether Reportable :

No ARCHANA ARORA 2023.01.12 17:30 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this order/judgment