Anath Kumar Singh v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

07.02.2023 Court No. 19 Item No.40 CP WPA No. 2466 of 2023 Anath Kumar Singh Vs.

The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Ms. Pritikana Gantait ....for the petitioner.

Ms. Jyotsna Roy Mukherjee ....for the State.

Affidavit of service filed in Court today be taken on record.

The petitioner was a sahayak of Anandapur Gram Panchayat, District - Paschim Medinipur, who retired from service on 31.01.2018. The pension Payment Order was first issued in favour of the petitioner on 08.09.2021 and after introduction of ROPA, 2019, revised pension payment order was issued on 11.04.2022. The petitioner received the retirement benefits on 27.04.2022 on the basis of ROPA 2019.

Upon considering order of the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court dated August 14, 2013 in MAT 1118 of 2013 read with the circular dated June 25, 2002 issued by the Joint Director of Treasuries and Accounts, West Bengal, there cannot be any dispute with regard to the entitlement of interest on delayed payment of revised gratuity and revised arrear

pension. Thus, in this case as well, the same principle will apply.

In view thereof, this writ petition stands disposed of with a direction upon the respondents and particularly the concerned Treasury Officer to pay to the petitioner interest on the revised gratuity and revised arrear pension @ 8% per annum from the date of entitlement, to the revised arrear pension and revised gratuity as per ROPA, 2019 till the date of actual payment of the revised gratuity and revised arrear pension. Such payment shall be made within 12 weeks from the date of service of an authenticated copy of this order.

Needless to mention that before any disbursement is made, the disbursing authority shall satisfy himself about the genuineness of the claim and verify the signature and identity of the claimant, who is before this Court.

With the aforesaid observation and directions, this writ application stands disposed of.

There will, however, be no order as to costs. Urgent Photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for be given to the petitioner on priority basis.

(Shampa Sarkar, J.)