Bhabani Mahata v. The State Of West Bengal And ORS.

28.04.2026 Sl. No.63 Ct. No.14 gd

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION APPELLATE SIDE WPA/26438/2025 BHABANI MAHATA VS THE STATE OF WEST BENGAL AND ORS.

Ms. Jonaki Saha ...for the Petitioner.

Mr. Bipin Ghosh ...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 arrear of pension from the date of entitlement till the date of actual payment at the rate of 18% per annum.

3.

The petitioner contends that her father was an approved Assistant Teacher of Santaldiha Primary School, P.O.- Gajasimul, District-Jhargram. The petitioner's father retired from service on superannuation on 31st January, 2012 and expired on 21st September, 2015. The petitioner's mother expired on 17th July, 2020. The petitioner being the unmarried daughter of the deceased teacher was granted family pension as per the Pension Payment Order dated 24th March, 2023. Arrear family pension was disbursed in favour of the petitioner on 11th

May, 2023. However, no interest was paid on such delayed payment. Hence this writ petition.

4.

Ms. Jonaki Saha, learned advocate for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is entitled to receive interest on delayed payment of arrear family pension.

5.

Mr. Bipin Ghosh, learned advocate for the State leaves the matter to the discretion of the Court.

6.

From the aforesaid contention made in the writ petition, it is found that there is delay in disbursement of the arrear family pension. As such, the petitioner is entitled to interest on such delayed payment.

7.

Accordingly, respondent no.2, Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance, Government of West Bengal and respondent no.3-Treasury Officer, Jhargram are directed to pay the interest at the rate of interest @ 8% per annum on arrear family pension in favour of the petitioner from the date of entitlement 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.

8.

Petitioner is directed to communicate this order to the respondent no.2, Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance, Government of West Bengal and respondent no.3-Treasury Officer, Jhargram for necessary action.

9.

With the aforesaid directions, the writ petition being WPA 26438 of 2025 is disposed of.

10.

Since no affidavits have been called for, the allegation made in the writ petition is deemed to be not admitted. 11.

Interim order, if any, stands vacated.

12.

All connected applications, if any, stand disposed of. 13.

There shall be no order as to costs.

14.

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

15.

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.)