Somnath Ghosh v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

25.02.2021.

Item no. 145.

Court No.13 ap W.P.A. No. 4789 of 2021 (Through Video Conference) Somnath Ghosh

Versus

The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Ujjal Ray.

...For the petitioner.

Mr. Pantu Deb Roy, ld. A.G.P.

Mr. Subrata Guha Biswas.

...For the State.

Affidavit-of-service filed in Court today by the Counsel for the petitioner be taken on record. The writ petitioner is working as a Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE) at Itachuna Khanyan Gram Panchayat under Pandua Block in the District of Hooghly.

Counsel for the petitioner submits that pursuant to a Notification of the Government dated 19th March, 2015, an additional amount of Rs.3,500/- was payable to VLEs to address the low level of emoluments being paid.

At the relevant point of time and until the year 2015, there was only one VLE in each Gram Panchayat. Sometime around the year 2015 and thereafter, two other persons came to be appointed in the same post in the said Itachuna Khanyan Gram Panchayat.

The petitioner did not receive the said amount of Rs.3,500/- and the same came to be paid to both other VLEs at the Itachuna Khanyan Gram Panchayat. Counsel for the petitioner would argue that his client has been wrongfully deprived of the said sum of Rs.3,500/-. It is further submitted by him that in the event, the State wishes to limit the outgo of Rs.3,500/- to a particular number of VLEs, the petitioner is willing to work in the same capacity at a nearby Gram Panchayat where the said post is vacant or where more than one VLEs are required.

The petitioner has made a representation in this regard to the Block Development Officer, Pandua, Hooghly on 21st April, 2017.

The petitioner shall make a further representation highlighting his grievances and also enclosing any supporting documents to the District Magistrate, Hooghly within a period of 15 days from date.

Upon receipt of the said representation, the District Magistrate, Hooghly shall dispose of the same in accordance with law after giving a personal hearing to the petitioner and/or his legal representative. A reasoned order may be passed by the District Magistrate, Hooghly and the same may also be communicated to the petitioner within ten days thereafter.

The entire exercise should be completed by the D.M., Hooghly within a period of three months from the date of communication of a copy of this order. With the aforesaid directions, the instant writ application shall stand disposed of.

There will be no order as to costs.

All parties are directed to act on a server copy of this order on usual undertakings.

(Rajasekhar Mantha, J.)