Neetu v. State Of Punjab And Others

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH 259-1 CWP-19796-2021 Date of Decision : May 14, 2026 NEETU -PETITIONER V/S STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS -RESPONDENTS

CORAM:

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE KULDEEP TIWARI

Present:

Mr. Pawan Kumar Goklaney, Advocate, with Mr. Ashish Goklaney, Advocate for the petitioners.

Mr. Tejinder Pal Singh Walia, A.A.G., Punjab. *** KULDEEP TIWARI, J. (ORAL) 1.

The relief yearned through the instant writ petition appertains to issuance of directions to the respondents to grant higher pay/emoluments to the petitioner for the period during which her husband (since deceased) discharged the duties of the higher post of Junior Engineer, i.e. from the date he assumed such charge till the date he continued to work against the said post. The claim of the petitioner is founded upon the order dated 06.12.2012 passed by a Co-ordinate Bench of this Court in Hardev Singh and another vs. State of Punjab and others (CWP-13002-2012). 2.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the case of the petitioner's deceased husband stands on the same footing as that of similarly situated employees, namely Sat Pal and Tejpal Singh, whose claim for payment of differential pay for the period during which they held additional charge of the higher post has already been accepted by the department. It is contended that the respondents cannot adopt a different yardstick in the case DEVINDER YADAV 2026.05.15 14:16 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment

CWP-19796-2021 of the petitioner's deceased husband and his claim is also liable to be considered and granted on parity.

3.

Learned State counsel, on instructions from Mr. Neeraj Panchal, Junior Engineer, PWD (B&R), fairly concedes that the claim of similarly situated employees, namely Sat Pal and Tejpal Singh, for payment of differential pay for the period during which they held additional charge of the higher post has already been decided in the affirmative. 4.

Having heard learned counsel for the parties and considering the fair stand taken by learned State counsel, this Court deems it appropriate to dispose of the instant writ petition, at this stage, with a direction to the respondent-department to reconsider the petitioner's claim in the light of the decision already taken in favour of similarly situated employees, namely Sat Pal and Tejpal Singh, regarding payment of differential pay for the period during which they held additional charge of the higher post. This exercise shall be concluded within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order.

5.

Disposed of accordingly.

(KULDEEP TIWARI) May 14, 2026 JUDGE devinder Whether speaking/reasoned :

Yes/No Whether Reportable :

Yes/No DEVINDER YADAV 2026.05.15 14:16 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment