CWP No.18219 of 2009.doc - 1 – HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH **** CWP No.18219 of 2009 Date of Decision: 18.02.2010 **** Rajinder Kataria and others . . . . Petitioners VS. State of Punjab and another . . . . 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. Aseem Kataria, Advocate for the petitioners Mr. B.S. Chahal, DAG Punjab ***** SURYA KANT J. (ORAL) (1). The petitioners are working on different posts in the Health Department, Government of Punjab. They seek a mandamus to protect their House Rent Allowance which they were drawing before 30.08.1998 and allow them to continue to draw the same at the revised rate also on the revision of their pay scales. The relief has been sought on the basis of various decisions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and of this Court referred to in headnote of the writ petition itself, especially, the one rendered by this Court in CWP No.17884 of 2007, titled as Sarla Kalra vs. State of Punjab, decided on CWP No.18219 of 2009.doc - 2 – 27.11.2007, a copy of which has been placed on record as Annexure P8. (2). The grievance of the petitioner is that despite various representations followed by a legal notice dated 20.01.2009 (Annexure P10), the respondents have not decided the above-noticed claim. (3). Having heard learned counsel for the parties at some length and considering the nature of relief sought for by the petitioners, but without expressing any views on merits of their claim, I deem it appropriate to dispose of this writ petition with a direction to the respondent No.2 to take cognizance of the legal notice dated 29.01.2009 (Annexure P10) served on behalf of the petitioners and dispose of the same by passing a reasoned order as early as possible and preferably within a period of four months from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order. (4). Suffice to observe that in case the petitioners are found entitled for any monetary benefit, the same shall also be released in terms of the decision, referred to above. (5). Ordered accordingly. (6). Dasti . CWP No.18219 of 2009.doc - 3 – (SURYA KANT) JUDGE 18.02.2010 vishal shonkar