IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATES OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH. C.W.P. 3603 of 2009. [O&M] Date of Decision: 17th February, 2010. Shanti Devi Petitioner through Mr. R.S.Manhas, Advocate Versus State of Punjab & Ors. Respondents through Mr. B.S.Chahal, DAG, Punjab. 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? SURYA KANT, J. [ORAL) The petitioner seeks a Mandamus to direct the respondents to change her date of birth from 13.2.1957 to 3.7.1958. The petitioner joined the Education Department, Government of Punjab as a JBT Teacher on 1.1.1996. At that time, she disclosed her date of birth as 13.2.1957 which was duly recorded in her matriculation certificate. It appears that she got forwarded an application from the Block Education Officer, who was not the Competent Authority, to the Punjab School Education Board regarding the change of her date of birth in the matriculation certificate. The Board issued a duplicate/revised matriculation certificate to the petitioner with the changed date of birth and on the strength thereof, she applied for the change of her date of birth in the service record as well. As the respondents did not take any action, the petitioner has approached this Court. Notice of motion was issued and pursuant thereto, the respondents have filed their counter-affidavit, explaining that in terms of the government policy dated 21.6.1994, an employee can apply for change of date of birth in service book within two years of his appointment, whereas the petitioner applied for such change after 12 years. The petitioner on the other hand claims that she had applied in time. In my considered view, the petitioner was required to apply through proper channel to the Competent Authority and mere getting her application forwarded to the Education Board through the Block Education Officer can not be treated as her application for the change of date of birth. It is also quite strange that the petitioner, who got employment in Government service at a fairly belated stage, i.e., in 1996 having born in 1957, kept on sitting and allowed the grass to grow under her feet and never applied for the change of her date of birth till she got employment in the Government service. No case to issue the desired direction, in exercise of writ jurisdiction of this Court, is made out. Dismissed. February 17, 2010. ( SURYA KANT ) dinesh JUDGE