Parmjeet Singh And Others v. State Of Punjab And ORS.

CWP-11832-2024

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH CWP-11832-2024 Date of decision: 20.05.2024 Parmjeet Singh and others ....Petitioners

Versus

State of Punjab and others

...Respondents

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMAN CHAUDHARY ***** Present :

Mr. R.S. Sidhu, Advocate for the petitioners. ***** AMAN CHAUDHARY. J (Oral) 1.

The prayer made in the present petition is for directing the respondents to remove the anomaly between the senior and junior ETT teachers and to step up the pay of senior ETT teachers as equal to the junior. 2.

Learned counsel would submit that the petitioners, who were appointed as ETT teachers between January 2006 to May, 2007, are getting less pay than their juniors, who were appointed in October 2007, as they were granted the benefit of one additional increment of proficiency step up under the ACP scheme on completion of 9 years. As per instructions dated 22.08.2019, Annexure P-1, anomaly having been arisen on account of grant of ACP, which is required to be removed by fixing the pay of seniors equal to that of juniors. In this regard, a legal notice dated 09.04.2024, Annexure P-2, has been served upon the respondents, which has yet not evoked any response. He thus, at this stage, on instructions, submits that the petitioners are sanguine of it being considered in a positive manner, in case, a direction is given to the respondents to decide the same in a time bound manner by granting them an opportunity of hearing.

HAMANT 2024.05.20 18:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this order/judgment

CWP-11832-2024 3.

Notice of motion.

4.

At the asking of the Court, Mr. Arun Gupta, DAG, Punjab accepts notice on behalf of the respondents and has no objection to the limited prayer made.

5.

In view of the above and without commenting upon the merits of the case, this petition is hereby disposed of with a direction to the respondents to decide the legal notice dated 09.04.2024, Annexure P-2, within a period of six months, which this Court has no reason to believe the authorities would not address in a just, fair and reasonable manner. Upon doing so, after notice and hearing offered to them and if found entitled, grant the benefit forthwith. Needless to say, if the orders are adverse to their interest, the same shall contain reasons and the petitioners shall be free to seek legal redress thereupon.

(AMAN CHAUDHARY) JUDGE 20.05.2024 Hemant Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes / No Whether reportable :

Yes / No HAMANT 2024.05.20 18:25 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this order/judgment