Swapna Mallik v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

13.05.2024 Sl. No.102 Ct. No. 13 Sws.M W.P.A. 8198 of 2024 Swapna Mallik -VsThe State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Krishna Keshab Paul ... for the petitioner Affidavit of service filed in Court today be kept on record.

The learned advocate for the petitioner submits that the petitioner's husband was a Teacher of a School and retired on 31.05.2011. Thereafter the husband of the petitioner died on 18.01.2024. Pension payment order was issued in favour of the petitioner's husband on 06.07.2012 and the gratuity and arrear pension of the petitioner was released on 06.07.2012.

Although the petitioner was entitled to payment of pensionary benefit from the date of his retirement, the same was not paid. By presenting this writ petition, the petitioner prays for an order on the respondents to award interest on delayed payment of arrear pension and gratuity.

I have heard the learned Advocate for the petitioner and have also considered the orders passed by different Hon'ble Judges on the writ petitions involving similar issues.

In view thereof, this writ petition stands disposed of with a direction upon the respondents and particularly the concerned Treasury Officer to

pay interest to the petitioner on gratuity and arrear pension @ 9% per annum from the next date of retirement till the date of actual payment within 16 weeks from the date of service of an authenticated copy of this order failing which, additional interest @ 2% per annum shall be payable to the petitioner. The concerned Treasury Officer shall verify as to whether the petitioner is present in person along with the documents of identity before making any disbursement as directed hereinabove. In the event the petitioner is not present, the matter shall be reported to the Registrar General of this Court for appropriate action.

There will be no order as to costs.

Urgent Photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be given to the parties, on priority basis.

(Rajasekhar Mantha, J.)