Laxmi Roy v. The State Of West Bengal And ORS.

Form No.J(2)

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench Present: The Hon'ble Justice Aniruddha Roy WPA 1385 OF 2025 Laxmi Roy Vs.

The State of West Bengal & Ors.

For the Petitioner :

Mr. Krishna Pada Santra, Adv.

For the State :

Mr. Pretom Das, Adv.

Mr. Sandip Guha Roy, Adv.

Heard on :

03.09.2025 Judgment on :

03.09.2025 Aniruddha Roy, J.

Affidavit of service filed in Court today, is taken on record. The husband of the petitioner was an approved Sahayak of Gram Panchayat, District- Jalpaiguri. He died in harness on 05.08.2024. The Pension Payment Order was issued by the concerned respondent on 15.05.2025. The petitioner had received pension and arrear under the Pension Payment Order on 03.06.2025. The petitioner was entitled to pensionary benefit from the date of retirement, the same was not paid.

The petitioner now claims interest for the delayed payment of the said gratuity and arrear pension on and from August 6, 2024. Mr. Pretom Das, and Mr. Sandip Guha Roy, learned Advocates appear for the State.

It is trite that, the pension, which is lawfully payable to an employee is its property and if there is any delay in making such payment and the disbursement thereof in favour of such employee, such an employee is eligible and entitle to receive interest.

In view of the above, the respondents and or the Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance and the concerned Treasury Officer are directed to pay interest on the gratuity and arrear pension @ 8% per annum on and from date of retirement till the date of actual payment being received by the petitioner in terms of the Pension Payment Order. The entire exercise as directed above, shall be carried out and completed positively by the respondents and or the Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance and the concerned Treasury Officer within a period of eight weeks from the date of communication of this order. In default, the said arrear amounts and the entitlement of the petitioner shall carry an additional interest of 2% per annum till the date the petitioner actually receives the same.

Since affidavits are not called for, the allegations made in the writ petition are deemed not to have been admitted by the respondents. On the above terms, this writ petition being WPA 1385 of 2025 stands disposed of, without any order as to costs.

Photostat certified of this order, if applied for, be furnished expeditiously.

(Aniruddha Roy, J.) D. Das, P.A.