Smt. Hiro Devi vs State of Himachal Pradesh

Surinder Singh, Judge

Petitioner is the widow of Shri Dharam Dutt, who retired as Panchayat Secretary from the respondent Department on 30.9.1995 and ultimately died on 11.2.2001, leaving behind the petitioner. The petitioner was being given family pension but she claims the consequential benefits of the previous service rendered by her husband in the Panchayat Smiti. Shri Chander Shakher Thakur, learned Counsel for the petitioner submits that in a similar matter, in the judgment rendered by a Division Bench of this Court in CWP No. 1802 of 2002, titled as State of Himachal Pradesh & others versus Mr. Basheshar Lal, decided on 31st July, 2008, similar relief was allowed.

In view of the above, let respondent No. 2 examine the matter and if the stand taken by the petitioner is similar to that of Basheshar Lal''s case, supra, the benefit of the previous service of the husband of the petitioner be also accorded to the petitioner for the purpose of family pension within a period of three months from the date of production of a certified copy of this judgment to the second respondent alongwith a copy of the petitioner and Annexures thereto. With these observations, the petition stands disposed of, so also pending application(s), if any.