High Court of Punjab and HaryanaCWP/26193/2019disposed of

Manjeet Singh And Others v. Punjabi University Patiala And Another

2020-07-30Mr. Justice Harsimran Singh Sethi3 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH.

(106-2) Date of Decision: July 30, 2020 Manjeet Singh and others .. Petitioners

Versus

Punjabi University, Patiala and another .. Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARSIMRAN SINGH SETHI

Present:

Mr. Ranjivan Singh, Advocate, for the petitioners. HARSIMRAN SINGH SETHI, J.(ORAL) File has been taken for hearing through video conference due to Covid-19 pandemic.

CM-6728-CWP-2020 Present application has been filed for preponing the date of hearing of the main writ petition i.e. CWP No. 26193 of 2019, which stands adjourned to 09.09.2020.

Notice of the application to the counsel opposite. Mr. Vishal Khatri, Advocate, who has joined the proceedings through video conference, accepts notice on behalf of respondentUniversity and raises no objection for the grant of prayer as raised in the present application.

Keeping in view the above, application is allowed and the hearing of the main writ petition i.e. CWP No.26193 of 2019 is preponed to today.

Learned counsel for the petitioners states that petitioners are entitled for the pensionary benefits under the Old Pension Scheme, which was applicable in the respondent-University prior to 01.01.2004. Learned counsel further states that similarly situated employees have already been allowed the relief as being prayed by the petitioners herein, keeping in view the decision of the Syndicate taken on 27.02.2019 (Annexure P-12). Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners have already raised this grievance before the respondent-University through legal notice dated 15.07.2019 (Annexure P-16 Colly), which is still pending consideration with the respondent-University and the petitioners will be satisfied, at this stage, in case a time bound direction is issued to the respondent-University to decide the said legal notice dated 15.07.2019 (Annexure P-16 Colly) in a time bound manner by passing an appropriate speaking order.

Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondentUniversity raises no objection with regard to the prayer of the petitioners for deciding the legal notice dated 15.07.2019 (Annexure P-16 Colly) in a time bound manner by passing an appropriate speaking order. In view of the request made, without expressing any opinion on the merits of the case and the claim being made by the petitioners, respondent No.1 is directed to decide the legal notice dated 15.07.2019 (Annexure P-16 Colly) by passing a speaking order within a period of three months from the date of receipt of copy of this order. In case after the decision, it is found that the petitioners are entitled for any monetary

benefit, the same shall also be released to them within a period of next three months.

Writ petition stands disposed of accordingly. (HARSIMRAN SINGH SETHI) July 30, 2020 JUDGE harsha/naresh.k Whether speaking/reasoned:

Yes/No Whether reportable:

Yes/No