Benu Bhakta Thapa v. The State Of West Bengal And ORS.

24st August, 2023 Ct. 1 D/L 25 (Suvendu) CIRCUIT BENCH OF CALCUTTA HIGH COURT AT JALPAIGURI WPA 1989 of 2023 Benu Bhakta Thapa

Versus

The State of West Bengal & Ors.

Mr. Anirban Chakraborty ... for the petitioner.

Mr. Subir Kumar Saha ...for the State.

Affidavit of service filed in court today is kept with the record.

The learned Advocate for the petitioner submits that the petitioner was a Librarian and retired from service on 30.03.2015. Pension Payment Order was issued in favour of the petitioner on 20.12.2018 and the gratuity and arrear pension amount of the petitioner was released on 02.03.2019.

Although the petitioner was entitled to payment of pensionary benefit from the date of her retirement, the same was not paid. By presenting this writ petition, the petitioner prays for an order on the respondents to award interest on delayed payment of arrear pension and gratuity amount. I have heard the learned Advocate for the petitioner and have also considered the orders passed by different Hon'ble Judges on the writ petitions involving similar issues. In view thereof, the writ petition stands disposed of with a direction upon the respondents and particularly the

concerned Treasury Officer to pay the petitioner interest on arrear and gratuity amount @ 9% per annum from the next date of retirement of the petitioner till the date of actual payment within 16 weeks from the date of service of an authenticated copy of this order failing which, additional interest @ 2% per annum shall be payable to the petitioner. The writ petition is, accordingly, disposed of. There will be no order as to costs.

Urgent Photostat certified copy of this order, if applied for, be made available to the parties upon compliance of the requisite formalities.

(Moushumi Bhattacharya, J.)