Sayab Ali v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

58.

12.10.2023 S.D.

W.P.A. 10618 of 2023 Sayab Ali Vs.

The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Samim Ul Bari ...For the Petitioner Mr. Subhendu Sengupta ....For the State The petitioner's wife was an Anganwadi Worker (AWW). The petitioner's wife died while doing COVID related work in September 2020. She was aged about 43 years at the time of her death. The petitioner has prayed for disbursal of Rs.50,000/- payable to AWWs who died in COVID related duties. As per the memo dated September 20, 2022 issued by the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO), ICDS to the District Programme Officer (ICDS), Murshidabad, it appears that the petitioner is eligible for the aforesaid payment pursuant to the Memo dated April 1, 2020. The eligibility of the petitioner to the said amount is not in dispute. Despite such communication of CDPO, no communication has been received from the District

Programme Officer, ICDS or the Additional District Magistrate (Swastha Sathi), Murshidabad.

Mr. Sengupta, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the State respondents submits that a reminder was also given on September 20, 2022, but till date the amount has not been released to the petitioner.

Considering the rival submissions of the parties and the materials placed on record, this Court directs that the aforesaid amount be released to the petitioner within a period of three months from the date of this order by the respondent no. 3/the District Magistrate, Murshidabad.

As far as the petitioner's claim to the terminal grant of Rs.3 lac is concerned, the Principal Secretary, Finance Department shall consider the said claim and pass a reasoned order within 3 months if a representation is made to him within one month from the date of this order. Liberty is granted to bring Principal Secretary, Finance Department, State of West Bengal on record.

Leave is also given to make necessary amendments to the Cause Title.

With the directions aforesaid, W.P.A. 10618 of 2023 is disposed of.

All parties shall act on the server copy of this order duly downloaded from the official website of this Court. Urgent photostat certified copies of this order, if applied for, be given to the parties upon compliance of all the formalities.

(Lapita Banerji, J.)