Bidhan Chandra Murmu v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

16.02.2026 Sl. No. 102 Ct. No. 14 gd

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION APPELLATE SIDE WPA/19910/2025 BIDHAN CHANDRA MURMU VS STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS.

Ms. Sreyasree Choudhury ...for the Petitioner Mr. Sailendra Sekhar Bayerd ...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 respondents for disbursement of interest on delayed payment of gratuity and arrear pension amount at the rate of 18% per annum under ROPA 2019 with effect from 14th February, 2020 till the date of actual payment.

3.

The petitioner contends that he was an approved Head Teacher of Barakati Kurmi Pathra Primary School, Post Office - Baligeria, District - Jhargram. The petitioner retired from service on superannuation on 31st October, 2016. The first pension payment order was issued on 22nd September, 2016. The revised pension payment order under ROPA 2019 was issued on 15th October, 2022. The revised gratuity and arrear pension amount was disbursed to the

petitioner on 2nd December, 2022. However, no interest was paid on the delayed payment of revised gratuity and arrear pension. Hence this writ petition. 4.

Ms. Sreyasree Choudhury, learned advocate for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is entitled to the interest on revised gratuity and arrear pension under ROPA 2019 with effect from 14th February, 2020 till the date of actual payment. She seeks for appropriate orders.

5. Despite service, none appears on behalf of the State. 6.

Mr. Sailendra Sekhar Bayerd, learned Advocate, who usually appears on behalf of the State-respondent is requested to appear in this matter. The appearance of Mr.

Bayerd be regularised by the competent authority.

7.

Learned Advocate for the petitioner is directed to serve a copy of the writ petition along with its annexure upon Mr. Bayerd, learned Advocate for the State.

8.

Mr. Bayerd, learned Advocate for the State leaves the matter to the discretion of this Court.

9.

From the contentions made in the writ petition, it is found that the petitioner 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 belatedly. In view of the above, the petitioner is

entitled to receive interest on revised gratuity and arrear from date of effect of ROPA 2019.

10.

Accordingly, respondent no. 2, the Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance, Government of West Bengal and respondent no. 3, the Treasury Officer, Jhargram, are directed to disburse the interest at the rate of @ 8% per annum on the revised gratuity and arrear pension in favour of the petitioner by way of pensionary benefits under ROPA 2019 with effect from 14th February, 2020 till the date of actual payment. Such payment is to be made within a period of eight weeks from the date of communication of this order.

11.

Learned advocate appearing for the petitioner is directed to communicate this order to respondent no. 2, the Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance, Government of West Bengal and respondent no. 3, the Treasury Officer, Jhargram, for necessary compliance.

12.

With the aforesaid directions, the writ petition being WPA 19910 of 2025 is disposed of.

13.

Since no affidavit is called for, the allegations made in the writ petition are deemed to have been denied. 14.

Consequently, connected applications, if any, stand disposed of.

15.

Interim orders, if any, stand vacated.

16.

There shall be no order as to costs.

17.

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.)