Sikha Ghosh v. The State Of West Bengal And ORS

29.09.2021 Sl. No.28 akd Calcutta High Court In the Circuit Bench at Jalpaiguri Appellate Jurisdiction W.P.A. 1480 of 2021 [via video conference] [Sikha Ghosh -Vs- The State of West Bengal & Ors.] Mr. Biswajit Mal ... ... for the petitioner Mr. Subir Kumar Saha Mr. Pretom Das ... ... for the State Affidavit of service filed in Court today be kept with the record.

The instant writ petition has been preferred challenging the impugned denial of the respondents to pay interest for belated disbursement of the revised benefits of arrear under the provisions of the Revision of Pay and Allowances Rules, 2009 (hereinafter referred to as the ROPA, 2009).

Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that the husband of the petitioner retired from the post of high school Assistant Teacher on 31.10.2007 and the first pension payment order was issued on 17.10.2007. Upon revision of pay under the provisions of ROPA, 2009 the pension payment order towards revised benefits was issued on 01.09.2011 and the benefits of revised arrear were actually disbursed in favour of the

husband of the petitioner on 02.12.2011. The petitioner's husband died on 31.10.2016.

Learned counsel for the petitioner further submits that the issue of entitlement towards interest for belated disbursement of the benefits of revised arrear is no longer res integra and in identical matters, this Court has directed payment of interest for belated disbursement of the benefits of revised arrear on and from May 19, 2009. In support of such contention reliance has been placed upon a Government Order dated October 21, 2013. Heard learned counsel appearing on behalf of the parties and considered the materials on record.

In an identical matter, the Court has directed payment of interest for belated disbursement of the benefits of revised gratuity under ROPA, 2009 on and from May 19, 2009 till the date of actual disbursement of such benefits and as upon acceptance of such direction of the Hon'ble Court, the State authorities have issued the Government Order dated October 21, 2013, question of denial of interest to the petitioner does not occasion and in the said conspectus of facts and as the delay pertaining to disbursement of the revised benefits of arrear is not attributable to the petitioner, I am of the opinion that the petitioner is entitled to interest for belated disbursement of the benefits of revised arrear under ROPA, 2009 on and from the date of retirement till the date of actual disbursement of such benefits.

Accordingly, this court directs the respondents, particularly concerned Treasury Officer to pay interest to the petitioner at the rate of 9% per annum on the benefits of revised arrear pension under ROPA, 2009 calculated on and from May 19, 2009 till the date of actual disbursement of such benefits to the petitioner within a period of ten weeks from the date of communication of this order.

With the above observations, this writ petition is disposed of.

There shall be no order as to costs.

Urgent photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be given to the parties on usual undertaking. (Rajasekhar Mantha, J.)