Smti. Sameena v. The Director Of Health Services And ORS

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

[ CIRCUIT BENCH AT PORT BLAIR ] *** WPA/529/2025 Smti. Sameena Vs.

The Director of Health Services and Others Mr. R. Arul Peter .... for the petitioner Mr. Rakesh Kumar ... for the respondents December 17, 2025 [SR] Item No. 14 The petitioner is the wife of one Vijay Barla, who died in harness on May 05, 2021 while serving as Ward Attendant under the Directorate of Health Services, Andaman and Nicobar Administration. Though pension and other benefits were released but the balance standing in General Provident Fund Account was not released in favour of the petitioner. The petitioner submitted various representations to the concerned authorities.

Learned advocate appearing for the petitioner submits that no steps have been taken for release of the aforesaid amount in spite of receipt of such representation. Mr. Rakesh Kumar, learned advocate appearing for the respondents/Administration submits that the final bills with regard to the payment of entire available amount in General Provident Fund with interest calculated upto May, 2021 amounting to Rs.6,31,752/- and Rs.60,000/- have been raised and the aforesaid amounts shall be credited to the account of the petitioner within a fortnight from date.

The calculation showing the final amount which the petitioner is entitled to has also been supplied to the learned advocate on record of the petitioner in course of hearing of this writ petition.

Learned advocate appearing for the petitioner submits that the amount was withheld by the respondents/ Administration for a considerable period of time and, therefore, the petitioner is entitled to interest on such amount. It is not in dispute that the husband of the petitioner died on May 05, 2021 and it is the specific stand of the respondents that interest calculated upto May 2021 was taken into consideration for releasing the aforesaid bill. There has been a considerable delay in releasing the amount lying in the General Provident Fund Account. The petitioner who is a widow of a deceased Government servant, is deprived from enjoying the benefits arising out of the service of her deceased husband from the date of his death. This Court is of the considered view that the respondents/Administration should be liable to pay interest at the rate of eight (8) per cent per annum on and from June 2021 till the date the amount is credited to the bank account of the petitioner.

In the light of the submissions made by the learned advocates appearing for the respective parties, WPA/529/2025 stands disposed of by directing the respondent authorities to release the aforesaid amount being Rs.6,31,752/- and Rs.60,000/- respectively and the same shall be credited to the bank account of the petitioner on or before the end of the month of December, 2025.

The respondent authorities are directed to calculate the amount of interest on the aforesaid amount as and from Jude 2021 till the date of payment and shall pay the said amount of interest to the petitioner by way of crediting the said amount to the bank account of the petitioner by the end of January, 2026. Parties to act on the server copy of this order downloaded from the official website of this Court.

( Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, J. )