CWP No.1647 of 2011.doc - 1 – HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH **** CWP No.1647 of 2011 (O&M) Date of Decision: 28.01.2011 **** Ranjit Singh & Ors. . . . . Petitioners VS. State of Punjab & Ors. . . . . Respondents **** CORAM : HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE SURYA KANT **** 1. Whether Reporters of local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2. To be referred to the Reporters or not? 3. Whether the judgment should be reported in the Digest? **** Present: Mr. KK Goel, Advocate for the petitioners **** SURYA KANT J. (ORAL) (1). The petitioners are unemployed youths eligible for employment to the posts of Lineman in the respondent- Corporation. Their grievance is that after a long spell that 5000 posts of Lineman have been advertised for recruitment on contract basis but the maximum age limit has been restricted upto 37 years only. The petitioners who are awaiting for recruitment since the year 1996 onwards have meanwhile crossed the age of 37 years and are now over-age. (2). The petitioners rely upon some previous advertisements as also those issued by the Transport Department for CWP No.1647 of 2011.doc - 2 – recruitment of Drivers, to contend that the persons upto the age of 45 years are being recruited. (3). It is alleged that the petitioners have already approached the authorities but no decision has been taken so far though the last date for the advertised post i.e. 14.02.2011 is ensuing. (4). Having heard learned counsel for the petitioners at some length though it appears to be a case of hardship to the petitioners who are likely to be deprived of their right to compete merely because the posts have been advertised after a long period. It would still not be expedient for this Court to interfere in the matter as it involves a policy decision which falls within the domain of the respondents only. (5). The writ petition is accordingly disposed of with a direction to the Chairman/Managing Director of the respondent-Corporation to take a conscious decision in consultation with the State Government regarding enhancement in the maximum age limit for recruitment of contractual employees like Lineman. (6). It is directed that either the decision shall be taken before the cut-off date i.e. 14.02.2011 / 21.02.2011 and/or in the event of acceptance of the petitioner’s claim for CWP No.1647 of 2011.doc - 3 – enhancement of the maximum age, the last date to apply shall be extended to enable them to compete for the advertised posts. (7). Ordered accordingly. Dasti. 28.01.2011 vishal shonkar (S u r y a K a n t) Judge