Neeru and others vs State of Punjab and others

Augustine George Masih, J.—Prayer in this writ petition is for the grant of same concession as has been granted to the candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe/Other Backward Class along with differently abled persons in accordance with the reservation policy.

It has been contended that the Punjab Government has issued guidelines for conducting of the Punjab State Teachers Eligibility Test (PSTET), wherein concessions have been granted to various categories according to their reservation but no such benefit has been given to the backward class candidates although other backward class candidates have been granted the said benefit. He contends that the petitioners have made a representation dated 04.11.2011 (Annexure P-4) to the Director Public Instructions (School Education), Punjab Chandigarh, claiming this benefit but no decision has been conveyed to the petitioners till date.

Counsel contends that in a similar case i.e. CWP No. 15694 of 2011 titled as Raj Kumar and others vs. State of Punjab etc., decided on 25.08.2011 while disposing of the said writ petition, this Court was pleased to grant liberty to the petitioners to pursue the representation, which has been made by them to the respondents. He prays for the same benefit.

I have heard the counsel for the petitioner and have gone through the records of the case.

On consideration of the matter, I am of the view that the relief, as has been sought by the petitioners through the present petition, cannot be granted as it is a prerogative of the State and it being a policy matter.

The present petition is, therefore, disposed of with liberty to the petitioners to pursue the representation dated 04.11.2011 (Annexure P-4), which is alleged to have been submitted to the Director Public Instructions (School Education), Punjab Chandigarh-respondent No. 2.