IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA CWP No.4953 of 2025 Date of Decision: 08.10.2025 __________________________________________________________ Sh. Bhup Singh Chauhan and Others …….Petitioners Versus HRTC and Others ….Respondents __________________________________________________________ Coram: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sandeep Sharma, Judge. Whether approved for reporting? 1 For the Petitioners: Mr. Mandeep Chandel, Advocate. For the Respondents: Mr. Deepak Sharma, Advocate. ____________________________________________________ Sandeep Sharma, Judge (oral): Petitioners herein are aggrieved on account of non-release of arrears of enhanced pension. Though respondents in their reply have admitted the claim of the petitioners, but have decided to release the arrears in installments. 2. Bare perusal of communication dated nil issued under the signatures of Financial Advisor & C.A.O., H.P. Transport Corporation, Shimla, addressed to Branch Manager, H.P. State Cooperative Bank, Shimla, reveals that sums of 1,69,217/-, 87,510/- & 50,596/- are ₹ ₹ ₹ payable to the petitioners respectively, on account of arrears of enhanced pension, but vide communications dated nil (Annexure P-6 Colly), afore amount has been decided to be released in installments along with monthly pension, as per instructions dated 07.01.2012 issued by the Government of Himachal Pradesh. 1Whether the reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2 3. Mr. Deepak Sharma, Advocate, representing the respondent-Corporation states that due to financial constraints, decision has been taken to release the arrears in installments. 4. Mr. Mandeep Chandel, learned counsel representing the petitioner, states that all the petitioners are senior citizens and as such, instructions dated 07.01.2012 issued by the Government of Himachal Pradesh, sought to be applied in the case of the petitioners, cannot be made applicable for the reason that petitioners herein are in urgent need of money for their medical treatment and other domestic purposes. He further states that recently Government of Himachal Pradesh has taken a decision to release arrears of pension to all the persons who have attained the age of 70 years in one installment. 5. Since it is not in dispute that amount, as detailed hereinabove, is payable to the petitioners on account of arrears of enhanced pension, coupled with the fact that all the petitioners are senior citizens, this Court is of the view that instructions dated 07.01.2012 issued by the Government of Himachal Pradesh cannot be made applicable in the case of senior citizens, who, at the fag end of their lives, may be in dire need of funds for various purposes, including medical treatment etc. Moreover, this Court finds that amount payable to the petitioners is not hefty and can be ordered to be released in one go. 6. Consequently, in view of the above, present petition is disposed of with the direction to respondents to ensure that amount 3 payable to the petitioners, on account of arrears of enhanced pension, is released in one installment expeditiously, preferably, within a period of six weeks. Pending applications, if any, also stand disposed of. (Sandeep Sharma), Judge October 08, 2025 (Rajeev Raturi)