Dr. Sheo Nandan Prasad vs State of Bihar & Ors

Learned counsel for the petitioner; State of Bihar and State of Jharkhand have assisted the Court. Nobody appears on behalf of the Accountant

General.

In terms of the order dated 26.07.2018; further affidavits were required to be filed by the petitioner as well as the State of Bihar on the points

enumerated in the said order. The next date in the case was also fixed for today.

However, such affidavit has been filed on behalf of the petitioner and not the State of Bihar. From the same it transpires that the petitioner has

applied for final withdrawal of G.P.F. amount on 16.05.2007 i.e., almost 12 years after his superannuation and the payment was made on 07.04.2011.

As nothing on this point has been brought on record on behalf of the State of Jharkhand, the Court is constrained to observe that the explanation

required to come from the State Provident Fund Officer, Eastern Singhbhum, with regard to delay in payment of G.P.F. even after petitioner having

submitted his application for final withdrawal on 16.05.2007, not forthcoming and payment made after four years on 07.04.2011, the Court can only

presume that there is no valid reason for such delay. Accordingly, the Court holds that the petitioner shall be entitled to interest for six months from the

date of his superannuation and thereafter from 16.05.2007 till 31.03.2011, when the payments were made to him on 07.04.2011. The rate of interest

shall be the rate payable under G.P.F. for the aforesaid period. The payment shall be made to the petitioner within three weeks from the date of

production of a copy of this order before the respondent’s no. 3 and 4.

Coming to the issue of payment of pension and gratuity, the same has been withheld in terms of the order dated 07.02.2011 by the Animal and

Fishery Resources Department, Government of Bihar. Perusal of the same discloses that future payment of pension and gratuity was stopped on a

permanent basis. Thus, the petitioner will at least be entitled to payment of such dues for the interregnum period i.e., 01.08.1995 till 06.02.2011. The

same has to be calculated and paid to the petitioner in terms of the provisions of the Bihar Pension Rules, 1950 and various orders/circulars/decisions

of the State Government read with the orders of the Courts on such issue.

The Court having held the entitlement of the petitioner to such payment, the actual calculation is required to be made by the authorities concerned.

Accordingly, the respondent no. 1 shall work out the entitlement of the petitioner in terms of the present order and ensure that such payment is

made to him within two months from the date of production of a copy of this order before him.

As the order dated 26.07.2018 has remained uncomplied with by the State of Bihar by not filing affidavit in terms of the said order, cost of Rs.

10,000/- is imposed for such conduct to be deposited in the Juvenile Justice Fund of the State Social Welfare

Department and receipt filed within two months.

The writ petition stands disposed off in the aforementioned terms.

If receipt showing payment of cost is not filed in the Registry within the aforesaid period, office shall place the matter before the Bench for further

orders.