Mita Ghosh v. The State Of West Bengal And ORS.
16.02.2026 Sl. No.76(DL) Ct. No.14 srm
IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA
CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION APPELLATE SIDE W.P.A. No. 19543 of 2025 Mita Ghosh
Versus
The State of West Bengal & Ors.
Mr. Arun Khutia ...for the Petitioner.
Mr. Sujit Chatterjee ...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 for disbursement of interest on delayed payment of revised gratuity and arrear pension from the date of effect of ROPA, 2019 till the date of actual payment @ 18% per annum.
3.
The petitioner contends that her husband was the Head Teacher of 60 Baninathpur Primary School, P.O. Sargachi, District-Murshidabad.
The petitioner's husband retired from service on superannuation on 31st August, 2018. The first Pension Payment Order was issued on 6th August, 2018. The revised Pension Payment Order was issued under ROPA, 2019 on 12th March, 2022. The revised gratuity and arrear pension as per ROPA, 2019 was disbursed to the petitioner'
husband on 15th March, 2022. The husband of the petitioner died on 2nd March, 2024. However, no interest has been paid. Hence, this writ petition. 4.
Mr. Arun Khutia, learned Advocate for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is entitled to interest on revised gratuity and arrear pension from the date of effect of ROPA 2019 i.e. 14th February, 2020. He seeks for appropriate orders.
5.
Despite service, none appears on behalf of the State. 6.
Mr. Sujit Chatterjee, learned Advocate, who usually appears on behalf of the State-respondents is requested to appear in this matter. The appearance of Mr. Sujit Chatterjee be regularised by the concerned authority.
7.
Let a copy of the writ petition along with its annexure be served upon Mr. Chatterjee, learned Advocate for the State respondents.
8.
Mr. Chatterjee, learned Advocate for the State leaves the matter to the discretion of the Court.
9.
From the contentions made in the writ petition, it is found that the petitioner's husband is entitled to revised gratuity and arrear pension under ROPA 2019 with effect from 14th February, 2020. The revised gratuity and arrear pension amount was disbursed to the petitioner's husband belatedly. In view of the above, the petitioner is entitled to receive interest on
revised gratuity and arrear pension from date of effect of ROPA 2019.
10. Accordingly, respondent No.2, the Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance and respondent No.3, the Treasury Officer, Berhampore-I, Murshidabad are directed to disburse the interest @ 8% per annum on the revised gratuity and arrear pension from the date of effect of ROPA, 2019 i.e. 14th February, 2020 till the date of actual payment. Such payment is to be made within a period of eight weeks from date of communication of this order.
11. Learned advocate for the petitioner is directed to communicate this order to respondent No.2, the Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance and respondent No.4, the Treasury Officer, Berhampore-I, Murshidabad, for necessary compliance.
12. With the above direction, the writ petition being WPA 19543 of 2025 stands disposed of.
13. Since no affidavits have been called for, the allegation made in the writ petition is deemed to be not admitted.
14. Interim order, if any, stands vacated.
15. All connected applications, if any, stand disposed of.
16. There shall be no order as to costs.
17. All concerned parties shall act in terms of the copy of the order duly downloaded from the official website of this Court.
18. 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.)