25.2.2009 Present: Mr. Lokinder Thakur, Advocate, for the petitioners. Mr. R. K. Sharma, Sr. Addl. A. G. with Mr. Vivek Thakur, Addl. A. G. and Mr. Anil Jaswal, Dy. A. G. for the respondents. CWP(T) No.2997/2008 (OA No.227/96) The State of Punjab issued an order (Annexure A/6) according certain benefits to untrained teachers. Since the present petitioners were similarly situated, the State of Himachal Pradesh also issued an order dated 6th June, 1990 according same benefits to the untrained teachers employed in the State of Himachal Pradesh. The teachers including the petitioners continued to avail the benefits under the said order till 12th October, 1993 when the District Primary Education Officer, District Bilaspur issued an order (Annexure A/3) withdrawing the benefits and amending the earlier order dated 6th June, 1990. That the petitioners are similarly situated to that of untrained teachers to whom the benefits were accorded by the Punjab Government is not in dispute. Be that as it may be the fact of the matter is that before issuing the impugned order dated 12th October, 1993 (Annexure A/3), the petitioners were neither heard nor any show cause notice was ever issued to them. The withdrawal of the benefits entails civil and pecuniary consequences, hence, the impugned order can be faulted on that ground alone. The said order is accordingly quashed. The respondent-State may take any decision after adequate opportunity is afforded to the petitioners. It is directed that before any action is taken effecting the withdrawal of the benefits accorded in terms of order dated 6th June, 1990, due opportunity shall be afforded to the petitioners and only after passing a reasoned order, the decision shall be taken. The petition is allowed. ( Sanjay Karol ), Judge. February 25, 2009 (rana)