Sukdebi Balmiki v. The Durgapur Projects Limited And ORS.

04.04.2024.

Court No.13 Item No. 116 sp W.P.A. No. 7415 of 2024 Sukdebi Balmiki

Versus

The Durgapur Projects Limited & Ors.

Mr. Siddhartha Sarkar, Mr. Hirak Roy ...For the petitioner.

Mr. Sujit Sankar Koley ...For the Durgapur Projects Limited.

1.

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

2.

The petitioner's husband superannuated from service on 30th June, 2015. The gratuity and leave salary on account of her husband's service was paid on 16th June, 2016.

3.

Counsel for the Durgapur Projects Limited has stated that they are in deep financial crisis and have been taken over by the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited.

4.

It is well settled that delayed payment of terminal benefits creates severe and drastic financial difficulties for an employee as he has no income. It, therefore, should automatically attract interest. 5.

In those circumstances, interest at the rate of six percent per annum shall be paid for the period from 1st July, 2015 till 16th June, 2016 on the gratuity and leave salary of Rs. 13,10,448/- within a period of four months from date.

6. With the aforesaid directions, the instant writ petition shall stand disposed of.

7.

There will be no order as to costs.

8.

All parties are directed to act on a server copy of this order duly downloaded from the official website of this Court.

(Rajasekhar Mantha, J.)