📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Harvinder Chandigarh
Jobs & Career
Punjab-Haryana HC revokes order to regularise PRTC outsourced staff
✍️ Amar Ujala · Patiala
🗓 10 Sep 2026, 09:33 AM
👁 5
The Punjab‑Haryana High Court has set aside a single‑bench ruling that would have made outsourced workers of the PEPSU Road Transport Corporation regular employees.
The Punjab‑Haryana High Court delivered a full‑bench verdict overturning a previous single‑bench order that sought to regularise the outsourced workforce of the PEPSU Road Transport Corporation (PRTC). The earlier order had directed that contract staff be converted to permanent positions, prompting expectations of job security among the employees.
In its latest judgment, the court clarified that the single‑bench direction lacks legal standing and therefore cannot be implemented. Consequently, the outsourced personnel will continue to serve under their existing contractual terms, without the benefits and tenure associated with regular government posts.
Legal experts noted that the decision underscores the need for a clear legislative framework before any mass regularisation of contract workers in state‑run enterprises. The PRTC has been instructed to await further guidance from the relevant authorities before taking any action on staff appointments.
The ruling is expected to impact a sizeable number of workers employed on contract basis across the state’s transport network, while also setting a precedent for similar cases involving outsourced staff in other public sector entities.
In its latest judgment, the court clarified that the single‑bench direction lacks legal standing and therefore cannot be implemented. Consequently, the outsourced personnel will continue to serve under their existing contractual terms, without the benefits and tenure associated with regular government posts.
Legal experts noted that the decision underscores the need for a clear legislative framework before any mass regularisation of contract workers in state‑run enterprises. The PRTC has been instructed to await further guidance from the relevant authorities before taking any action on staff appointments.
The ruling is expected to impact a sizeable number of workers employed on contract basis across the state’s transport network, while also setting a precedent for similar cases involving outsourced staff in other public sector entities.