129 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: 03.11.2025 Lovely Dhiman and others ....Petitioners Versus State of Haryana and others ...Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE HARPREET SINGH BRAR Present: Mr. Chander Shekhar Sharma, Advocate for the petitioners (through V.C).

HARPREET SINGH BRAR, J. (ORAL)

1. The present Civil Writ Petition has been preferred under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents to appoint the petitioners to the post of Assistant Lineman as advertised vide CRA-289/16, and for quashing of the impugned speaking order dated 07.07.2025 (Annexure P-16) whereby their representation stood rejected.

2. The brief facts of the case are that the respondent-Corporation issued Advertisement CRA-289/16 for the post of Assistant Lineman. The petitioners applied under the general category. The selection was to be made purely on merit based on marks obtained in the National Apprenticeship Certificate in Lineman trade. A note in the advertisement provided preference to candidates who had completed their apprenticeship from PSPCL/PSTCL or erstwhile PSEB. The pe