Authority: High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh
Order Date: 10 July 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioners: 67 individuals undergoing apprenticeship training as Linemen under the Bhakhra Beas Management Board (BBMB), filed petition under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India.
- Respondents: State of Punjab and Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).
- Petition sought writ of certiorari to quash PSPCL Board of Directors’ decision (meeting held 13 April 2026, Memo dated 19 June 2026, Public Notice dated 24 June 2026) to fill Assistant Linemen posts by absorbing apprentice trainees, bypassing public advertisement as required by Regulation 9(5) of PSPCL Technical Services Class‑II Regulation, 1996, statutory reservation policies of Punjab, and the Apprentice Act, 1961.
- Petition also requested mandamus directing PSPCL to issue a public advertisement and to allow petitioners to sit for the Punjabi language test scheduled for 15 July 2026.
Court Observations
- Respondents’ senior counsel (Maninderjit Singh Bedi) agreed that petitioners, being apprentices under BBMB, should be considered on par with existing apprentices of PSPCL/PSTCL, provided they submit individual representations and requisite certificates.
- The counsel further proposed that the language test for petitioners be conducted on 15 July 2026, or, if not feasible, within one month thereafter.
- Petitioners’ counsel was directed to file individual claims/representations by 14 July 2026.
Final Outcome
- The Court found the petition rendered infructuous in view of the respondents’ fair stance and disposed of the petition.
- Petitioners shall be treated at par with apprentices of PSPCL/PSTCL for all intents and purposes, subject to fulfillment of prescribed eligibility conditions.
- Petitioners must submit individual claim/representation with supporting documents on or before 14 July 2026 and appear for the language test on 15 July 2026 (or within one month if postponed).
Topics: Apprenticeship Recruitment, Public Utility Employment