1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 138 CWP-23665-2025 Date of decision: 18.08.2025 Inderjeet Kaur and another ....Petitioners Versus State of Punjab and Others ...Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMAN CHAUDHARY ***** Present : Mr. Krishan Kumar Thakur, Advocate, and Ms. Meenakshi Singh, Advocate for the petitioners. Mr. Swapan Shorey, DAG, Punjab. ***** AMAN CHAUDHARY. J. (ORAL) 1. Learned counsel submits that the petitioners, who belong to general category, working as Principal, are seeking step up of pay equal to that of juniors appointed against the reserved category posts in view of the Instructions dated 14.03.2017, which has been granted to certain employees vide orders dated 16.08.2022 and 23.04.2024, Annexure P-10 and P-11 respectively. Further, in pursuance to CWP-26308- 2022, filed by few other similarly situated employees, the State vide order dated 20.03.2024, accepted their claims, subject to final outcome of the senioiruty list, thus, their COCP-1484-2022 was also disposed of vide order of even date. A legal notice dated 08.04.2025, Annexure P-12, has been served by the petitioners upon the respondents for the same relief, which has yet not evoked any response. He, on instructions, prays that a direction may be given to the respondents to decide the same in a time bound manner. PARVEEN KUMAR 2025.08.20 10:12 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this order/judgment. 2 2. Learned State counsel has no objection to the limited prayer made. 3. In view of the above and without commenting upon the merits of the case, this petition is hereby disposed of with a direction to the respondents to decide the legal notice dated 08.04.2025, within a period of 6 months, which this Court has no reason to believe the authorities would not address in a just, fair and reasonable manner. Upon doing so, after notice and hearing offered to them and if found entitled, grant the benefit forthwith. Needless to say, if the orders are adverse to their interest, the same shall contain reasons and the petitioners shall be free to seek legal redress thereupon. (AMAN CHAUDHARY) JUDGE 18.08.2025 parul verma Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes / No Whether reportable : Yes / No PARVEEN KUMAR 2025.08.20 10:12 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this order/judgment.