Basudeb Halder v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

22.01.2025 (D/L-66) Ct.-19 (SG)

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION W.P.A. 12427 of 2024 Basudeb Halder -Vs- The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Arpita Saha, .... For the Petitioner.

Mr. Raja Ram Banerjee, .... For the State.

Affidavit-of-service filed on behalf of the petitioner be kept with the record.

The petitioner was an approved Headmaster of a primary school and retired from his service on superannuation on January 31, 2020.

The Pension Payment Order of the petitioner was issued on March 25, 2021 in pursuance whereof he received the arrear pension on April 6, 2021.

In the instant writ petition the prayer of the petitioner is a writ of mandamus be issued commanding the respondents to pay interest on the said amount of arrear pension and gratuity for the delayed payment.

Learned advocate for the State-respondent does not oppose the prayer of the petitioner.

It is now well settled that the petitioner is entitled to the interest, as prayed for.

The respondents, the concerned Treasury Officer in particular are, therefore, directed to pay interest @ 8% per annum on the gratuity and arrear amount of pension from the date of retirement of the petitioner till the date of such payment.

The payment as aforesaid shall be made within the period of eight weeks from the date of communication of this order, in default the said arrear amount shall fetch an additional interest of 2% per annum.

W.P.A 12427 of 2024 stands disposed of with the above directions. There shall be no order as to costs.

Urgent photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the parties subject to compliance with all requisite formalities.

(Biswajit Basu, J.)