Putul Rani Das v. The State Of West Bengal And ORS.

06.01.2026 Sl. No.27 Ct. No.14 gd

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION APPELLATE SIDE WPA/17759/2025 PUTUL RANI DAS VS THE STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS.

Ms. Sudipa Banerjee ...for the Petitioner.

Mr. Alok Banerjee ...for the State.

1.

Affidavit of service filed on behalf of the petitioner is taken on record.

2.

By the present writ petition the petitioner seeks direction upon the respondent authorities to disburse the interest amounts towards arrear pension from the date of entitlement till the date of actual payment along with interest @ 18% per annum.

3.

The petitioner contends that her father, namely, late Indu Bhusan Das was Head Teacher in Keotgerhia Primary School and he retired from service on superannuation on 31st August, 1993. The petitioner's father expired on 1st February, 2017. The mother of the petitioner predeceased her father and expired on 18th March, 2015. The husband of the petitioner expired on 21st October, 2012. The petitioner is the widowed daughter of the deceased employee. Pension Payment Order was issued in favour of the petitioner

on 17th December, 2018 and arrear of pension was disbursed in favour of the petitioner on 1st February, 2019. However, no interest was paid on the delayed payment. Hence this writ petition.

4.

Ms. Sudipa Banerjee, learned advocate for the petitioner submits that by dint of a Circular dated 10th January, 2008 the petitioner being the widowed daughter is entitled to receive pensionary benefits. The payment of arrear pension has been made belatedly. As such, the petitioner seeks for interest on pensionary benefits and arrear amount from date of her entitlement. She relies on the decision of a Coordinate Bench passed in Suchitra Shasmal versus State of West Bengal & Ors. (WPA 21260 f 2024). 5.

Mr. Alok Banerjee, learned advocate, for the State leaves the matter to the discretion of the Court. 6.

In view of the contentions raised in the writ petition, respondent no.2, Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance, Government of West Bengal and respondent no.3-Treasury Officer, Kharagpur are directed to pay the interest @ @ 8% per annum on arrear pension in favour of the petitioner on and from 2nd February, 2017 till the date of issuance of the Pension Payment Order.

7.

Such payment shall be made within a period of eight weeks from the date of communication of this order. 8.

With the aforesaid directions, the writ petition being WPA 17759 of 2025 is disposed of.

9.

Since no affidavits have been called for, the allegation made in the writ petition is deemed to be not admitted.

10.

Interim order, if any, stands vacated.

11.

All connected applications, if any, stand disposed of. 12.

There shall be no order as to costs.

13.

All concerned parties shall act in terms of the copy of the order duly downloaded from the official website of this Court.

14.

Urgent Photostat certified copy of the order, if applied for, be given to the parties on compliance of all necessary legal formalities.

(Bivas Pattanayak, J.)