Authority: High Court at Calcutta, Circuit Bench at Jalpaiguri
Order Date: 16 June 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioner: Dal Bahadur Kami, former Assistant Teacher, Jaldhaka Higher Secondary School, District Darjeeling.
- Respondents: State of West Bengal, Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance (Govt. of West Bengal), Treasury Officer, Kalimpong.
- Retirement: 28 February 2025 (superannuation).
- Pension order issued: 14 August 2025.
- Gratuity and arrear pension disbursed: 12 September 2025, but no interest paid.
- Petition (W.P.A. No. 879 of 2026) sought interest on delayed payment at 18% per annum from the date of retirement until actual payment.
- Learned advocate for petitioner, Ms. Taniya Bhowmik, argued delay entitled petitioner to interest.
- State’s counsel, Mrs. Supriya Singh, left matter to court’s discretion.
- Court observed considerable delay and affirmed the State’s duty to pay interest on pensionary benefits.
Final Outcome
- Respondent No. 2 (Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance, Government of West Bengal) and Respondent No. 3 (Treasury Officer, Kalimpong) directed to pay interest at 8% per annum on the gratuity and arrear pension amount, calculated from the date following retirement until actual payment.
- Payment to be made within six weeks of the order’s communication.
- Petitioner’s counsel directed to communicate the order to the two respondents for compliance.
- The writ petition (WPA 879 of 2026) is disposed of; no affidavit required, allegations deemed denied.
- Any connected applications, if any, are disposed; interim orders, if any, are vacated.
- No order as to costs.
- Urgent certified copy of the order to be provided upon compliance with legal formalities.
Topics: Pension Benefits, Judicial Order