Veerpal Kaur Mrahr and Others Vs State of… — Writ and Judicial Review | Punjab & Haryana HC (2026)

Veerpal Kaur Mrahr and Others Vs State of… — Writ and Judicial Review | Punjab & Haryana HC (2026)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Direction to respondent No.3 to consider and decide the petitioners' legal notice dated 12.10.2025 (Annexure P-16) expeditiously by passing a speaking order after affording them an opportunity of hearing, preferably within a period of 03 months from the date of receipt of the certified copy of the order, and to convey the decision taken thereon to the petitioners.

Issue for consideration

Whether the petitioners, working as Staff Nurse in the Health Department under the NRHM Scheme, are entitled to the minimum of the regular pay scale plus dearness allowance along with arrears and interest, at par with regular employees, in terms of the Supreme Court judgment in State of Punjab v. Jagjit Singh (2016(4) SCT 641). +1 more

Ratio / Principle

Without going into the merits of the case at this stage, the Court disposed of the petition with a direction to respondent No.3.

Key takeaways

Respondent No.3 was directed to consider and decide the legal notice dated 12.10.2025 (Annexure P-16) submitted by the petitioners expeditiously by passing a speaking order after affording them an opportunity of hearing, preferably within a period of 03 months from the date of receipt of the certified copy of the order.ratio¶21
The decision taken on the legal notice shall be conveyed to the petitioners.ratio¶21

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh (CWP-12207-2026, decided 23.04.2026, Namit Kumar J., Oral): Petition under Article 226 by Staff Nurses (Veerpal Kaur and others) working in the Punjab Health Department under the NRHM Scheme, seeking a writ of mandamus for grant of the minimum of the regular pay scale plus dearness allowance along with arrears and interest at par with regular employees in terms of State of Punjab v. Jagjit Singh, 2016(4) SCT 641, and parity of salary/benefits and incentives with similarly situated Staff Nurses appointed under the NPCDCS on the principle of 'equal pay for equal work'. Counsel stated that a legal notice dated 12.10.2025 (Annexure P-16) served on the respondents was pending consideration and confined the prayer to directions for its decision by a speaking order. Without going into the merits at this stage, the Court disposed of the petition, directing respondent No.3 to consider and decide the said legal notice expeditiously by passing a speaking order after affording the petitioners an opportunity of hearing, preferably within 03 months from receipt of the certified copy of the order, and to convey the decision taken thereon to the petitioners.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

115

CWP-12207-2026 Date of decision : 23.04.2026

Veerpal Kaur and others

....Petitioners

Versus

State of Punjab and others

...Respondents

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE NAMIT KUMAR

Present: Mr. Hargun Sethi, Advocate for Mr. Gagneshwar Walia, Advocate for the petitioners.

NAMIT KUMAR J. (Oral)

The present petition has been filed by the petitioners under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to grant the petitioners the minimum of the regular pay scale + dearness allowance along with arrears and interest on the post of Staff Nurse at par with regular employees in terms of judgment passed by Hon’ble Supreme Court in State of Punjab and others Vs. Jagjit Singh : 2016(4) SCT 641 and various other judgments passed by this Court. Further, to grant the petitioners, who are working as Staff Nurse in the Health Department under NRHM Scheme, the same salary/benefits and incentives as has already been granted to similarly situated Staff Nurses, who were appointed under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Strokes (NPCDCS), on the principle of ‘equal pay for equal work’.

Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that for redressal of their grievances, the petitioners have also served legal

VINOD KOTHIYAL 2026.04.23 16:20 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document

CWP-12207-2026

-2-

notice dated 12.10.2025 (Annexure P-16) to the respondents which is still pending consideration. He further submits that at this stage, the petitioners would be satisfied, if appropriate directions are issued to the respondents to consider and decide the said legal notice, by passing a speaking order, in a time bound manner.

Notice of motion.

Mr. Kanav Singla, A.A.G., Punjab, accepts notice on behalf of respondents No.1 & 2. Mr. Arshdeep Bhullar, Advocate has put in appearance and accepts notice on behalf of respondent No.3. They have no objection to the innocuous prayer made by learned counsel for the petitioners.

I have heard learned counsel for the parties and have gone through the record of the case.

Without going into the merits of the case at this stage, the present petition is disposed of with a direction to respondent No.3 to consider and decide legal notice dated 12.10.2025 (Annexure P-16) submitted by the petitioners expeditiously, by passing a speaking order after affording an opportunity of hearing to the petitioners, preferably within a period of 03 months from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order. Further, the decision taken thereon shall be conveyed to the petitioners.

23.04.2026		(NAMIT KUMAR) JUDGE
*kothiyal*
	Whether speaking/reasoned:	Yes/No
	Whether reportable:	Yes/No

VINOD KOTHIYAL 2026.04.23 16:20 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this document