Satnam Singh v. The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited And Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH Date of Decision: 02.04.2026 Satnam Singh .....Petitioner

VERSUS

The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited and others ..Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARPREET SINGH BRAR Present :

Mr. Pankaj Sharma, Advocate for the petitioner. Ms. Priyanka Dhillon with Ms. Mehak Kanwar and Mr. Pradeep Sharma, Advocates for the respondents. HARPREET SINGH BRAR, J. (Oral) 1.

The present writ petition has been filed under Article 226/227 of the Constitution of India for issuance of an appropriate writ or order in the nature of certiorari for quashing the letter dated 23.12.2025 (Annexure P-7) issued by respondent No.1 whereby the direction has been given to respondent NO.3 to recover the amount from the salary of petitioner on account that the arrears of revised pay scale from the year 1996 to till the year 2016 which was given to petitioner in the year 2021 on the post of Hammer Man as Class-IV employee, by way of arrears of pay. Further

praying for issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents to release the arrears of salary related to the post of Hammer Man w.e.f. 2016 onwards to the petitioner along with 18% rate of interest. 2.

Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner at this stage submits that she would be satisfied if a direction is issued to respondent No.3 to decide the representation dated 27.12.2025 (Annexure P-9) by passing a speaking order in a time bound manner in the light of judgment passed by Hon'ble Supreme Court in State of Punjab Versus Rafiq Masih reported as 2015(4) SCC Page 334 and the judgment passed by Full Bench of this Court in Budh Ram and others vs. State of Haryana and others in CWP No.2799 of 2008 decided on 22.05.2009.

3.

Notice of motion.

4.

Ms. Priyanka Dhillon, Advocate, waives service of notice on behalf of the respondents and submits that she has no objection in the event this Court issues a direction to respondent No.3 to consider and decide the representation dated 27.12.2025 (Annexure P-9) in a time-bound manner, in the light of the judgments passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Rafiq Masih (supra) and by this Court in Budh Ram (supra). 5.

In view of the limited prayer made by counsel for the petitioner without commenting upon the merits of the case, the present petition is disposed of and respondent No.3 is directed to hear and decide the representation dated 27.12.2025 (Annexure P-9) filed by the petitioner in a

time bound manner and pass a speaking order in the light of the judgments passed in Rafiq Masih (supra) and Budh Ram (supra), within a period of two months from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order. 6.

Needless to say, if the petitioner is found entitled to the relief sought, the same be granted to him forthwith by respondents/competent authority.

7.

It is further clarified that, till such time the aforesaid representation is considered and decided by the competent authority, any proposed recovery pursuant to the impugned action shall remain stayed and be kept in abeyance.

8.

Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, shall also stands disposed of.

(HARPREET SINGH BRAR) JUDGE 02.04.2026 Puneet Chawla Whether speaking/reasoned. : Yes/No Whether Reportable. :

Yes/No