CWP(T) No. 3835/2008 (OA No. 1609/96) 30.3.2009 Present: Mr. B.K. Malhotra, Advocate, for the petitioner. Mr. R.K.Sharma, Sr. Addl. A.G. with Mr. Vivek Thakur, Addl. A.G. for the respondents. In 1989 petitioner was posted as Executive Engineer (Monitoring Cell) when his pay was fixed at Rs. 4500/- in the pay scale of Rs. 3700-5300 (Annexure-P3). This was subject to verification by the Audit office. The respondent-State without supplying the audit report/objections or issuing any notice to show cause issued an office order dated 30th of July 1996 (Annexure-P4) refixing the petitioner’s pay at Rs. 4375/- w.e.f. 2.1.1987. The pay for the period after 1989 was accordingly reduced. Respondents in their reply have tried to explain the circumstances under which the earlier order fixing higher pay, was revised but, however, in the return it has been denied categorically that no prior notice of hearing/representation was ever issued to the petitioner. Since reduction of pay entails civil consequences. Hence, issuance of notice was necessary. Principals of natural justice stand violated and the petitioner has been put to prejudice, in as much as, without receipt of notice or reasons assigned by the audit office his pay has been reduced. Under these circumstances, office order Annexure-P4, dated 30th July, 1996 is quashed. However, respondents are directed to issue show cause notice to the petitioner, clearly specifying the reasons/basis for the contemplated action against him. After the receipt of the notice petitioner shall file a reply within a period of four weeks and after the receipt of the reply, the respondents shall decide the matter within a period of 12 weeks. Needless to add the respondents shall pass a reasoned order and supply CWP(T) No. 3835/2008 (OA No. 1609/96) the copy to the petitioner. Liberty granted to the petitioner to approach the Court again. With the aforesaid observations, the present writ petitioner is allowed and disposed of. (Sanjay Karol), Judge. March 30, 2009 (vs)