1993 Supreme(P&H) 697
PUNJAB & HARYANA HIGH COURT
A.L.Bahri and N.K.Kapoor JJ.
Gobind Ram Sharma
Versus
State Of Haryana And Ors.
Civil Writ Petition No. 12455 of 1991,
Decided On : SEPTEMBER 6, 1993
An employee of the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) can be repatriated to the parent State Government with the approval of the Central Government, and such repatriation is not illegal.
Headnote:
REPATRIATION OF DEPUTATIONISTS - PUNJAB REORGANISATION ACT, 1966 - SECTION 79(4) - TRANSFER - MALA FIDE - ALLOTMENT OF HOUSE - LICENCE - REVOCATION.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner, a Senior Scale Stenographer working with Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), was repatriated to the Irrigation Department in the State of Haryana. He challenged the order of repatriation, alleging mala fide and bias, and claiming that he was an employee of the State of Haryana and could not be repatriated without the approval of the State Government.
Finding of the Court:
The court held that the petitioner was not an employee of the State of Haryana at the time of his repatriation, but was an employee of the BBMB. The court also held that the order of repatriation was not passed with mala fide intention and was not illegal. The court further held that the petitioner had no legal right to retain the house allotted to him by the BBMB after his repatriation.
Issues: 1. Whether the petitioner was an employee of the State of Haryana at the time of his repatriation? 2. Whether the order of repatriation was passed with mala fide intention? 3. Whether the petitioner had a legal right to retain the house allotted to him by the BBMB after his repatriation?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The court held that the petitioner was not an employee of the State of Haryana at the time of his repatriation, but was an employee of the BBMB. The court relied on the provisions of Section 79(4) of the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, which provides that the BBMB may return any person employed by it to the State Government or Electricity Board concerned with the previous approval of the Central Government. 2. The court held that the order of repatriation was not passed with mala fide intention. The court noted that the petitioner had been repatriated in consultation with the Irrigation Department of the State of Haryana and with the approval of the Central Government. 3. The court held that the petitioner had no legal right to retain the house allotted to him by the BBMB after his repatriation. The court held that the allotment of house was a licence or permission that could be revoked any time.
Final Decision: The court dismissed the writ petition with no order as to costs.
A.L.Bahri, J.
1. The question involved in this case being of importance and likely to arise in other cases of repatriation of the deputationists, employees of Bhakra Beas Management Board (hereinafter called the BBMB) to parent States, R.S. Mongia, J. referred the case to a larger Bench vide order dated November 3, 1992. FACTS IN BRIEF:
The petitioner, Gobind Ram Sharma, a Senior Scale Stenographer working with Bhakra Beas Management Board was repatriated to the Irrigation Department in the State of Haryana vide order dated July 15, 1991-Annexure P.26 which is impugned in this writ petition. The petitioner is a permanent employee of the State of Haryana and was deputed to work with the BBMB against the share quota of Haryana State in BBMB i.e. 40% of the Staff. In 1988 a policy decision was taken by the BBMB vide instruction Annexure P.1 that the employees who were working with the BBMB on 89 days basis (ad hoc) be adjusted against their posts. The family of the petitioner consists of six members as per details given in the petition. One of them being Miss Purnima, daughter, aged about 23 years, who after qualifying Matriculation examination in 1984 and Prabhakar (Honours in Hindi) in 1985; took training in English and Hindi Typing and thus could be employed as a Clerk/Hindi Typist with the BBMB. The petitioner approached the BBMB several times for appointment of his daughter since 1986 but she was not considered. The BBMB, however, recruited numerous dependent children of the employees of other departments. One of the representations for seeking employment for his daughter was submitted on January 10, 1990 - Annexure P.2. On February 25, 1988, on 89 days basis, Purnima aforesaid was appointed by the Board. With notional breaks, her service continued upto October 28, 1989. Some of the appointment letters were produced. (Copies Annexures P.4 to P.6). Another representation of her seeking appointment was filed on November 22, 1988 (Copy Annexure P.7). This request was declined on December 22, 1988. (Copy Annexure P.8). Instructions were issued on April 20, 1989 (Copy Annexure P.9) by the BBMB laying down the qualifications and experience for filling the posts of Clerks. In 1989 post of Hindi Typist was sought to be filled and petitioners daughter applied for the same. However, the Board was not keen to select her. The test was postponed. The petitioners daughter was, however, appointed on 89 days basis from August 1, 1989 to October 28, 1989 vide letter - Annexure P.6. Her Service stood terminated on expiry of the aforesaid period. However, children of other employees were retained. A representation was submitted by the petitioner on January 29, 1990 (Annexure P.11). On that account respondents Nos. 3 to 5 became inimical towards the petitioner and his daughter. They did not take any decision on the representation moved by petitioners daughter and did not offer next vacancy occuring to her. Instead one Gian Prakash was transferred from Sundernagar and posted as Hindi typist at Chandigarh. Subsequently, aforesaid Gian Chand was promoted. Such was discriminatory treatment given to petitioners daughter. Services of other employees of the Board were regularised in view of the decision in Piara Singhs case. However, petitioners daughters services stood terminated. Departmental action was also sought to be taken against the petitioner when on petty matters show-cause notices were sent to him. Such like letters are Annexures P.13, P.15 to P.19. The petitioner submitted replies/representations thereto, copies of which are Annexures P.20 to P.21. In a vindictive attitude the petitioner was repatriated to the State of Haryana in the Irrigation Department. A general allegation was also leveled that the employees of the State of Haryana were being dominated and ill-treated by the employees of the Punjab State working with the BBMB. On receipt of letter-Annexure P-25 dated July 14, 1991, the petitioner made representation. However, t