IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 112 CWP-20720-2026 Date of decision : 10.7.2026 Saraj Singh and others ….Petitioners V/S State of Punjab and others ….Respondents CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE NAMIT KUMAR Present: Mr. R.K. Arora, Senior Advocate assisted by Mr. Jugam Arora, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Rohit Ahuja, D.A.G., Punjab. Mr. Maninderjit Singh Bedi, Senior Advocate assisted by Ms. Kavita Joshi, Advocate for respondents-PSPCL. Mr. Rajat Sharma, Advocate for Mr. S.K. Sharma, Senior Panel Counsel for UOI. **** NAMIT KUMAR , J. (ORAL) 1. The instant petition has been filed by 67 petitioners, who are undergoing apprenticeship training in the trade of Lineman under the Bhakhra Beas Management Board (BBMB), under Articles 226/227 of the Constitution of India, seeking issuance of a writ of certiorari for quashing the impugned decision taken by the Board of Directors of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) in its meeting held on 13.04.2026 (Annexure P-5); Memo dated 19.06.2026 (Annexure P-8) and Public Notice dated 24.06.2026 (Annexure P-9), to fill the regular posts of ‘Assistant Linemen’ by way of absorption of the apprentice trainees of PSPCL/PSTCL only bypassing the prescribed process of recruitment through a public advertisement by inviting applications VINOD KOTHIYAL 2026.07.10 14:21 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document CWP-20720-2026 2 from all eligible candidates in accordance with Regulation 9(5) of the PSPCL Technical Services Class-II Regulation, 1996, statutory reservation policies of the State of Punjab, provisions of the Apprentice Act, 1961 and in violation of the settled principle of law that mere apprenticeship training does not confer any right to public appointment and further the appointments to the public posts must be made only through an open competitive recruitment process. Further, seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to fill the vacant posts of ‘Assistant Linemen’ only by issuing a public advertisement inviting applications from all eligible candidates and to permit the petitioners, being eligible, to participate in the Punjabi Test to be held on 15.07.2026 along with all other eligible candidates. 2. On receipt of advance copy of the petition, Mr. Maninderjit Singh Bedi, Senior Advocate has put in appearance for respondents- PSPCL and submits that since the petitioners are also undergoing their apprenticeship training under BBMB, their claim for absorption to the post of Assistant Linemen shall be considered at par with the apprentices, who are undergoing their training with the PSPCL/PSTCL on the same terms and conditions on which the apprentices of PSPCL/PSTCL are being considered. He further submits that the petitioners shall submit their individual representations along with necessary documents/certificates for considering their claim for absorption as Assistant Linemen and for appearing in the language test in the same manner as is being conducted for all the apprentices of the PSPCL/PSTCL. He further submits that every endeavour shall be made by the respondents-PSPCL/PSTCL to allow the petitioners to appear in VINOD KOTHIYAL 2026.07.10 14:21 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document CWP-20720-2026 3 the language test scheduled for 15.07.2026 and in case it is not possible, the said test of the petitioners shall be conducted immediately not later than one month. 3. Learned assisting counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners shall submit their individual claim/representation on or before 14.07.2026. 4. In view of the fair stand taken by learned Senior counsel for the respondents-PSPCL, the instant petition has been rendered infructuous and the same is disposed of accordingly. 5. Needless to mention here that the petitioners shall be treated at par with the apprentices of PSPCL/PSTCL for all intents and purposes, subject, of course, to their fulfilling the prescribed eligibility conditions. 10.07.2026 (NAMIT KUMAR) kothiyal JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether Reportable: Yes/No VINOD KOTHIYAL 2026.07.10 14:21 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document