CWP No.5985 of 2010.doc - 1 – HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH **** CWP No.5985 of 2010 Date of Decision: 05.04.2010 **** Yadwinder Singh and others . . . . Petitioners VS. State of Punjab and others . . . . . 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. S.S. Brar, Advocate for the petitioners ***** SURYA KANT J. (ORAL) (1). The petitioners are working as Agriculture Sub Inspectors in the Agriculture Department, Government of Punjab. They seek a mandamus to direct the respondents to consider and promote them to the post of Agriculture Development Officers which were earlier known as Agriculture Inspectors, from the date they became eligible and also to grant them the consequential service benefits. (2). The petitioners have averred that they possess academic qualification of B.Sc./M.Sc. in Agriculture and in terms of the administrative CWP No.5985 of 2010.doc - 2 – hierarchy, they are eligible and entitled to be promoted as Agriculture Inspectors, the post which has now been re-designated as Agriculture Development Officers. (3). The petitioners have given instances where such promotions were made in the past. Their further grievance is that though the promotional posts are lying vacant and their cases for promotion have been recommended vide the recommendations dated 16.12.2005, 11.01.2006, 24.01.2008/11.08.2008 & 29.01.2005 (Annexure P8, P9, P10/P10-A, & P11, respectively). Yet the competent authority has taken no decision despite repeated representations made by them including dated 07.07.2005, 11.02.2007, 13.01.2009 (Annexure P14, P12 & P13, respectively). (4). Having heard learned counsel for the petitioners at some length and keeping in view the nature of relief sought, I deem it appropriate to dispose of this writ petition with a direction to respondents No.1 & 2 to consider the claim of the petitioners for their promotion to the post of Agriculture Development Officer (Agriculture Inspector) in accordance with rules/Government policies, especially keeping in view the recommendations CWP No.5985 of 2010.doc - 3 – made by the District level authorities as well as by the Directorate in their favour, within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this order. (5). Suffice it to observe that if the petitioners are found eligible, suitable and entitled to such promotions and the Government decides to fill up the promotional posts, the appropriate orders to this effect shall also be passed preferably within two months thereafter. The petitioners shall be at liberty to send a copy of the writ petition, as a supplementary representation, for consideration of the competent authority. (6). Ordered accordingly. (7). Dasti . (SURYA KANT) JUDGE 05.04.2010 vishal shonkar