HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH **** CWP No.3297 of 2009 (O&M) Date of Decision: 25.02.2011 **** Sarwati Devi & Ors. . . . . Petitioners VS. Punjab Mandi Board & Anr. . . . . 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. Surinder Garg, Advocate for the petitioners Mr. Paramjit Batta, Advocate for respondent No.1 Ms. Sudeepti Sharma, DAG Punjab ***** SURYA KANT J. (ORAL) (1). As against the alleged medical expenditure of Rs.4,45,024/- incurred by late Makhan Lal, the petitioners have been reimbursed Rs.2,58,549/-. The petitioner’s claim for reimbursement of the balance amount raised by Makhan Lal earlier in CWP No.13878 of 2007 was dismissed as withdrawn with liberty to his legal representatives to re-agitate the matter along with relevant Rules etc. The present writ petition has been filed without explaining those Rules/Policies in terms whereof, the petitioners are entitled to any additional reimbursement. CWP No.3297 of 2009.doc - 2 – (2). The reply/affidavit by the Mandi Board is totally cryptic and does not provide any assistance. This order shall be taken as a stern warning to the Board Authorities to be careful in future failing which exemplary costs personally recoverable from the senior officers, shall be imposed. (3). The writ petition is, however, disposed of with liberty to the petitioners to submit their bill(s) along with Policy/Rules fortifying their claim for additional reimbursement. As soon as such claim is submitted by the petitioners, the Mandi Board authorities are directed to verify and submit the same to the Director, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab within a period of one month, who in turn is directed to re-verify their claim in accordance with the Government policies within two months of the receipt of the reference from the Mandi Board. If the petitioners are found entitled to additional payment, the same shall be paid within one month of such re-verification/approval by the Director, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab. However, in the event of non-acceptance of the claim of the petitioners, it is the Mandi Board and not the Director, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab who 2 CWP No.3297 of 2009.doc - 3 – shall pass a speaking order in this regard within the stipulated period. (4). In view of the apology tendered by the Director Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, who is present in Court, the order dated 16.02.2011 is modified and the cost liability imposed is dispensed with. (5). Ordered accordingly. (6). Let a dasti copy of this order be handed over to Ms. Sudeepti Sharma, learned DAG Punjab for information and necessary compliance. (7). Dasti . 25.02.2011 vishal shonkar (S u r y a K a n t) Judge 3