Manju Pradhan v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

23.06.2026 Sl. No. 19 Ct. No.14 AN

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION APPELLATE SIDE W.P.A. No. 20375 of 2025 Manju Pradhan

Versus

The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Dinesh Pani Ms. Sulagna Sen ...for the Petitioner Ms. Mary Datta Ms. Manisha Paswan ... for the State 1.

By the present writ petition the petitioner seeks direction upon the respondent authorities for disbursement of interest on the arrear family pension for delayed payment and also for arrear of family pension for the period from the date of death of the family pensioner till the date of actual disbursement. 2.

The petitioner contends that she is the widowed daughter of the deceased employee, who was an Assistant Teacher of primary school under District Primary School Council, Purba Medinipur. The concerned employee died-in-harness on 28th May, 2000. The mother of the petitioner subsequently died on 14th September, 2007 without getting any family pension. The husband of the petitioner died on 22nd October, 1994. The pension payment order was issued in favour of the petitioner on 11th March, 2025.

However, the arrears and the interest thereon has not been disbursed. Hence, this writ petition.

3.

Mr. Dinesh Pani, learned advocate appearing for the petitioner does not press for arrear family pension. He prays for disbursement of interest on delayed payment of arrear family pension.

4.

None appears on behalf of the State despite service. 5.

Ms. Mary Datta, learned advocate who usually represents the State alongwith Ms. Manisha Paswan, learned advocates are requested to appear in this matter on behalf of the State. Let their appointment be regularised by the competent authority.

6.

Petitioner is directed to handover a copy of the writ petition alongwith all annexures to the learned advocate representing the State.

7.

Ms. Datta, learned advocate representing the State leaves the matter to the discretion of the Court. 8.

It is found from the report that the petitioner applied for the dependent family pension on 8th December, 2023. The pension payment order was issued in favour of the petitioner on 11th March, 2025. The arrear pension amount was disbursed on 11th April, 2025. As per G.O No. 96-SE(B) dated 15th April, 2010, arrears have been provided to the petitioner w.e.f 13th April, 2010.

9.

In view of the above, respondent no. 2, the Director of Pension, Provident Fund & Group Insurance, Government of West Bengal and respondent no. 3, the Treasury Officer, Contai are directed to disburse

interest on delayed payment of arrear pension from the date following the date of the application of the petitioner i.e. 9th December, 2023 till the date of actual payment @ 8% per annum within a period of eight weeks from the date of communication of this order.

10.

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

11.

With the above direction, the writ petition being WPA 20375 of 2025 stands disposed of.

1.

Since no affidavits have been called for, the allegation made in the writ petition is deemed to be not admitted. 2.

Interim order, if any, stands vacated.

3.

All connected applications, if any, stand disposed of. 4.

There shall be no order as to costs.

5.

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

6.

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.)