Minati Ghorui v. The Durgapur Projects Limited And ORS

07.02.2023 IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA DL-179 CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION (PP) APPELLATE SIDE Ct.21 WPA 1421 of 2023 Minati Ghorui Vs.

The Durgapur Projects Limited & Ors.

Mr. Tathagata Deb ....for the petitioner.

Mr. S. S. Koley ....for DPL.

Affidavit of service filed in Court today be retained with the records.

The writ petitioner was a permanent employee of the Durgapur Projects Limited (in short, DPL) which is a Government of West Bengal enterprise.

She was superannuated from April 30, 2018.

The gratuity dues and leave salary of the writ petitioner aggregating Rs.10,49,383/- were paid on December 11, 2019. Neither the quantum of gratuity and leave salary nor the date of payment is in dispute.

Mr. Deb, learned Counsel, appearing on behalf of the writ petitioner prays for interest on gratuity and leave salary payable to the writ petition from May 1, 2018 (the date succeeding the date of retirement) till December 11, 2019 (the date on which the gratuity dues and leave salary were actually paid).

The issue has been squarely settled by various Judgements passed by a Co-ordinate Bench of this Hon'ble Court.

Relying on the judgements on the same issue and considering the facts of the case it is directed that the writ petitioner is entitled to get interest on the delayed payment of his gratuity dues and leave salary from May 1, 2018 till December 11, 2019 at the rate of 6% per annum.

The respondent authority/DPL is directed to pay the aforesaid payment within six months from date. In the event, the said amount is not disbursed within the stipulated period, the rate of interest will stand enhanced to 10% per annum being the statutory rate under the payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.

With the directions aforesaid, the writ petition, being WPA 1421 of 2023, is disposed of.

Since no affidavits have been called for in the writ petition, the allegations contained therein be deemed not to have been admitted by the respondents.

Needless to mention, in case the petitioner has occupied the quarter granted by the employer after his retirement the occupation charges for the said quarter will be deducted from the retiral benefits that

the petitioner is entitled to as per the extant rules and policies of the employer/DPL.

All parties shall act on the server copies of this order duly downloaded from the official website of this Hon'ble Court.

Urgent photostat certified copies of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the parties upon compliance of all necessary formalities.

(Lapita Banerji, J.)