CWP(T) No. 4602/2008 (OA 1882/97) 12.05.2010 Present: Ms. Ranjana Parmar, Advocate, for the petitioner. Mr. R. M. Bisht, Dy. Advocate General for the respondents/State. Petitioner was appointed as a Clerk on 12.7.1977. She started working as a Steno-typist and availed benefits of special pay w.e.f. 5.7.1978. She continued to avail all benefits accorded to a Steno-typist in the P.W.D. Department of the State and was also confirmed as a Steno-typist. 2. It is her grievance that the respondents themselves assigned her seniority as a Clerk in terms of order dated 15.10.1996 (Annexure A-4). On the strength of this document petitioner is seeking consequential benefits payable to a Clerk with respect to pay fixation, selection grade, promotion etc. The respondents have seriously disputed her claim. 3. My attention has been invited to communication dated 5.4.2006 (Annexure R-2-P) written by the Engineer-in-Chief, IPH Department to the Engineer-in-Chief, HPPWD, Shimla. Her case for reversion as a Clerk with all consequential benefits has been recommended for consideration. Apparently, in this regard petitioner has also taken steps by filing an affidavit which has been annexed alongwith the supplementary affidavit dated 20.12.2009. Undoubtedly, so far the respondent/state has not taken any decision thereupon. In these circumstances interest of justice would suffice, if without going into the merits of the case a direction is issued to the State to take a decision on the same in accordance with law. -2- Accordingly respondents are directed to take a decision within a period of six months from the date of receipt of the certified copy of the order. Needless to add petitioner shall be afforded due opportunity of hearing/representation and the order bearing reasons shall be communicated to her. Liberty granted to approach again. 4. With the aforesaid directions the present petition stands disposed of. (Sanjay Karol), Judge. May 12, 2010 (PK)