Hira Devi vs State of Jharkhand and Others

P.P. Bhatt, J.—From perusal of record, it appears that arrears of the family pension has already been received by the petitioner. So far as the payment of statutory interest, which is due and payable to the petitioner in pursuance to the previous order of this Court is required to be paid without further delay. It further appears that by letter dated 31st January, 2013, Commandant, JAP-I, Ranchi has addressed one letter to the office of Accountant General, Ranchi, Jharkhand requesting therein to provide the break up/calculation of the amount of the statutory interest, which is due and payable to the petitioner so that further steps can be taken in pursuant to the order passed by this Court. Learned counsel for the petitioner by referring letter dated 31.10.12, pointed out that the Commandant, JAP-I, Ranchi has also given the sanction regarding payment of statutory interest payable to the petitioner and it was communicated to the Accountant General Office. However, there is a delay in making the payment of statutory interest, due and payable to the petitioner.

It also appears that vide letter dated 17-11-12, the office of the Principal Accountant General (A and E) Jharkhand has also addressed one letter to the Accountant General, Patna, Bihar intimating him regarding the amount of arrears of family pension as well as statutory interest payable on it due and payable to the petitioner and it was specifically intimated that due sanction has been given for the said purpose. But, it appears that there is a delay in payment of statutory interest on the part of the respondent authorities.

In view of the above position, the office of the Accountant General, Jharkhand, Ranchi shall take further appropriate steps so as to comply with the request made by letter dated 31.1.2013 keeping in mind the previous communication dated 31.10.2012 as also the orders passed by this Court in this regard, so that the amount of statutory interest, which is due and payable to the petitioner, can be paid at the earliest without further delay.

Therefore, the respondent authorities as well as the office of the Accountant General, Jharkhand, Ranchi shall take further appropriate steps without further delay, so that the amount of interest, payable to the petitioner, be paid at the earliest, preferably within a period of four weeks from the date of this order without submitting any further excuse about the responsibility of making calculation and its payment.

Let the calculation regarding payment of statutory interest, which is due and payable to the petitioner, be placed before this Court on the next date of this case.

It is further submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that the family pension for the month of November-2012, December-2012 and January-2013 has not been paid to the petitioner. Therefore, the respondent authorities are directed to look into the matter and shall take necessary steps for making payment of monthly family pension, due to the petitioner. The respondent authorities shall co-ordinate with each other to sort out this problem and shall ensure regular monthly family pension.

Let a copy of this order be made available to the parties by Monday i.e. on 4th February 2013. Put up this case on 6th March, 2013