Ajit Kumar Lal And ANR v. State Of West Bengal And ORS.

04-01-2024 ct no. 13 sl. 10 pk WPA 25579 of 2023 Ajit Kumar Lal and another -VersusThe State of West Bengal and others Mr. Goutam Deb, Mr. Dipendu Mondal, Mr. Ankan Mondal, Ms. Dipanwita Ganguly ... for the petitioners Mr. Mrinal Kanti Ghosh, Mr. Sujit Chatterjee ... for the State.

Ms. Deblina Chattaraj, Ms. Angana Dutta ... for the Corporation.

1.

The petitioners are serving employees of the State under the West Bengal Transport Corporation, formerly known as "CTC". They claim interest on delayed payment of benefits of ROPA 1998. The benefits actually released in September, 2000. 2.

Reliance is placed on a decision dated 02.03.2023 of Co-ordinate Bench in the case of Fulwanti Devi Vs. State of West Bengal and others in WPA 3707 of 2023.

3.

The said case is distinguishable in facts since the petitioner therein was a retired employee. 4.

This Court, is, therefore, of the view that a serving employee is not seriously prejudiced by

delayed payment of the benefits of ROPA 1998. Admittedly, the benefits of ROPA was implemented for the employees of the WBTC in the year 2001.

Such amount was paid in five instalments after 2008.

5.

Accordingly, petitioners are not entitled to any interest.

6.

The writ petition is disposed of.

7.

There will be no order as to costs.

8.

All parties are directed to act on a server copy of this order duly downloaded from the official website of this Court.

(Rajasekhar Mantha, J.)