JUDGMENT

G.S. Singhvi, J. —

1. Leave granted.

2. With a view to give relief to the employees who were stagnating in particular positions for a long period of time, the Punjab State Electricity Board [for short, “the Board”] introduced a scheme for giving time bound promotional scales/increments on completion of 9/16/23 years of regular service. The same was circulated vide office order dated 23rd April, 1990, the relevant portions of which are extracted below:-

“In continuation consolidation and supersession of instructions contained in this office order No.174/PRC/Fin-1988 dated 17.07.1989, Memo No.11163/11863/PRC/Fin-I/1988/L-VI/(Prop) dated 19.1.1990 and O/o No.194/PRC/Fin-1988, dated 30.03.1990.

The Punjab State Electricity Board have been seized of the problems of stagnation prevailing amongst the various cadres of regular employees and its consequent effect on their efficiency, is felt that an employee should, under ideal service conditions get normally two promotions from his initial recruitment level during his service. However, this is not always possible owing to non-availability of promotional posts. The aspiration of the employees, can, however be met to a great extent