CWP-18416-2026 -1- 118 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP-18416-2026 Date of decision: 29.05.2026 NARINDER KUMAR ...Peetitioner(s) VERSUS STATE OF PUNJAB ...Respondent(s) CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASGURPREET SINGH PURI HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE AMARJOT BHATTI Present:- Mr. Dhiraj Chawla, Advocate for the petitioner. Ms. Arundhati Kulshreshtha, AAG, Punjab. **** JASGURPREET SINGH PURI, J. (Oral) 1. The present Civil Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondent to amend Appendix ‘B’ of the Punjab Trust Services (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2021 dated 09.03.2021 to include the “Exception Clause” for the post of Superintending Engineer (SE) on parity with the posts of Assistant Trust Engineer (ATE) and Trust Engineer (TE) so that the existing Trust Engineers become eligible for promotion, with a further prayer to direct the respondent to consider the petitioner for promotion to the post of Superintending Engineer by granting relaxation in educational qualifications. CHETAN THAKUR 2026.05.29 17:35 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment. CWP-18416-2026 -2-

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that although challenge has been made in the present writ petition to Appendix ‘B’ of the Punjab Trust Services (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2021 (Annexure P-2) for the purpose of inclusion of an exception clause for the post of Superintending Engineer (SE) on parity with the posts of Assistant Trust Engineer (ATE) and Trust Engineer (TE), but he limits his prayer only to the extent that for removal of the anomaly, a legal notice dated 18.01.2026 (Annexure P-3) was served to the respondent and he will be satisfied at this stage in case the aforesaid legal notice is decided by the respondent in accordance with law after hearing the petitioner and by passing an order on the same. 3. Ms. Arundhati Kulshreshtha, AAG, Punjab appeared in response to advance notice and submitted that considering the limited prayer made by the learned counsel for the petitioner in the present petition at this stage, the respondent-State has no objection in case any direction is issued by this Court for considering and deciding the aforesaid legal notice (Annexure P-3) in accordance with law and any reasonable time frame work may be fixed for the said purpose.

4. In view of the aforesaid submissions made by both the learned counsels for the parties and without commenting anything on the merits of the case and also considering the aforesaid limited prayer made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, we are of the considered view that the present petition may be disposed of accordingly with directions. Accordingly, the respondent is directed to consider and decide the aforesaid legal notice dated 18.01.2026 CHETAN THAKUR 2026.05.29 17:35 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment. CWP-18416-2026 -3- (Annexure P-3) filed by the petitioner in accordance with law by giving adequate opportunity of hearing to the petitioner. Needful be done within a period of four months from today. 5. The present Civil Writ Petition stands disposed of. 6. Miscellaneous applications, if any, shall also stand disposed of. (JASGURPREET SINGH PURI) JUDGE (AMARJOT BHATTI) 29.05.2026 JUDGE Chetan Thakur Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No CHETAN THAKUR 2026.05.29 17:35 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment.

CWP-18416-2026 -1- 118 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP-18416-2026 Date of decision: 29.05.2026 NARINDER KUMAR ...Peetitioner(s) VERSUS STATE OF PUNJAB ...Respondent(s) CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE JASGURPREET SINGH PURI HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE AMARJOT BHATTI Present:- Mr. Dhiraj Chawla, Advocate for the petitioner. Ms. Arundhati Kulshreshtha, AAG, Punjab. **** JASGURPREET SINGH PURI, J. (Oral) 1. The present Civil Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondent to amend Appendix ‘B’ of the Punjab Trust Services (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2021 dated 09.03.2021 to include the “Exception Clause” for the post of Superintending Engineer (SE) on parity with the posts of Assistant Trust Engineer (ATE) and Trust Engineer (TE) so that the existing Trust Engineers become eligible for promotion, with a further prayer to direct the respondent to consider the petitioner for promotion to the post of Superintending Engineer by granting relaxation in educational qualifications. CHETAN THAKUR 2026.05.29 17:35 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment. CWP-18416-2026 -2-

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that although challenge has been made in the present writ petition to Appendix ‘B’ of the Punjab Trust Services (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2021 (Annexure P-2) for the purpose of inclusion of an exception clause for the post of Superintending Engineer (SE) on parity with the posts of Assistant Trust Engineer (ATE) and Trust Engineer (TE), but he limits his prayer only to the extent that for removal of the anomaly, a legal notice dated 18.01.2026 (Annexure P-3) was served to the respondent and he will be satisfied at this stage in case the aforesaid legal notice is decided by the respondent in accordance with law after hearing the petitioner and by passing an order on the same. 3. Ms. Arundhati Kulshreshtha, AAG, Punjab appeared in response to advance notice and submitted that considering the limited prayer made by the learned counsel for the petitioner in the present petition at this stage, the respondent-State has no objection in case any direction is issued by this Court for considering and deciding the aforesaid legal notice (Annexure P-3) in accordance with law and any reasonable time frame work may be fixed for the said purpose.

4. In view of the aforesaid submissions made by both the learned counsels for the parties and without commenting anything on the merits of the case and also considering the aforesaid limited prayer made by the learned counsel for the petitioner, we are of the considered view that the present petition may be disposed of accordingly with directions. Accordingly, the respondent is directed to consider and decide the aforesaid legal notice dated 18.01.2026 CHETAN THAKUR 2026.05.29 17:35 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment. CWP-18416-2026 -3- (Annexure P-3) filed by the petitioner in accordance with law by giving adequate opportunity of hearing to the petitioner. Needful be done within a period of four months from today. 5. The present Civil Writ Petition stands disposed of. 6. Miscellaneous applications, if any, shall also stand disposed of. (JASGURPREET SINGH PURI) JUDGE (AMARJOT BHATTI) 29.05.2026 JUDGE Chetan Thakur Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes/No Whether reportable : Yes/No CHETAN THAKUR 2026.05.29 17:35 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment.