Authority: High Court at Calcutta (Civil Appellate Jurisdiction)

Order Date: 17 September 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioners: Professor Nilotpal Ghosh and another lecturer, both employed by Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya (BCKV) with BVSc & AH qualifications.
  • Respondents: State of West Bengal, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Uttar Banga Krishi Vidyalaya and others.
  • The petition challenged a reasoned order dated 13 September 2022 that rejected their claim for Non‑Practicing Allowance (NPA).
  • Earlier judgments (WP 239 (W) 2003, order dated 15 December 2005) directed extension of NPA to veterinary teachers of state‑aided agricultural universities, and ICAR guidelines similarly provided for NPA.
  • The Finance Department of West Bengal had refused extension of NPA to BCKV and UBKV teachers, citing financial burden.

Final Outcome

  • The Court set aside the impugned September 13 2022 order.
  • Directed payment of NPA to petitioner No. 2 from his joining date 4 April 1995 and to petitioner No. 1 from 18 May 1995 to 20 September 2016, with arrears bearing 6% per annum interest.
  • Payment to be effected within eight weeks of the order; no order as to costs.

Topics: Non‑Practicing Allowance; Higher Education Employment