Rita Saha v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

14.12.2023 Sl. No.262 ap W.P.A. 14510 of 2023 Rita Saha -VsThe State of West Bengal & Ors.

Ms. Sabita Khutia (Bhunya).

... ... for the petitioner.

Despite service of notice, the respondents are not represented. Affidavit-of-service filed by the learned Advocate for the petitioner in Court today be kept with the record.

The learned Advocate for the petitioner submits that the husband of the petitioner was a Teacher of a School, who retired from service on 31.08.2006 and died on 13.01.2020. Pension Payment Order was issued in favour of the petitioner on 03.03.2023 and arrear pension was released on 18.03.2023.

Although the husband of the petitioner was entitled to payment of pensionary benefit from the next date of retirement of her husband, 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.

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 arrear pension @ 9% per annum from the next date of retirement of the husband of the petitioner 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.

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.)