Bikash Das v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

29.06.

Ct. No. 18 CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION APPELLATE SIDE.

WPA 13642 of 2026 Ab Shri Bikash Das and others Vs.

The State of West Bengal and others.

--------------- Mr. Anindya Lahiri, Mr. Subit Kumar Mondal.

... for the petitioners.

Ms. Aparna Banerjee, Mr. Suman Chatterjee.

... for the State.

1. The affidavit of service filed today is taken on record.

2. The petitioners joined in service on contractual basis, working in several Government Hospitals, particularly, during the COVID times.

3. The petitioners' entitlement to certain financial benefits had been questioned. The same was challenged and an order had been passed after severe deliberation sometime in November 2019 directing the concerned Chief Medical Officer, Health of Birbhum to collate the data and forward the same to the Principal Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal. The said Principal Secretary had been directed to decide on the entitlement of the petitioners on the basis of the data received from the CMOH.

4. Even after a lapse of several years, till date, this

exercise has not yet been completed. Even though all documents and information have been collated and forwarded to the Principal Secretary, the latter has been unable to decide this issue.

5. In view of the afore-stated, I direct the Principal Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, to dispose of this matter deciding the entitlement of the petitioners as stipulated in the order of November 25, 2019 of the State Administrative Tribunal, by August 31, 2026. He shall intimate the resultant reasoned order to the concerned parties and the authorities by September 10, 2026. The Principal Secretary will strictly stick to the afore-stated timelines and conduct the hearing upon adequate prior notice to the parties concerned.

6. With these afore-stated directions, the writ petition is disposed of.

7. There shall, however, be no order as to costs.

8. Urgent Photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be given to the parties on priority basis. (Reetobroto Kumar Mitra, J.)