HIGH COURT OF TRIPURA AGARTALA WP(C) No. 518 of 2025 Smt. Ruati Reang, W/o: Shri Aichu Rai Reang, R/o: Kancharichhara, Dist-North Tripura, Aged-50 years. ……Petitioner(s) VERSUS 1. The State of Tripura, To be represented by the Secretary, Social Welfare and Social Education, Govt. of Tripura, New Secretariat Building, New Capital complex, Kunjaban, P.S: New Capital Complex, Agartala, West Tripura, Pin:7990101. 2. The Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Social Education, Govt. of Tripura, New Secretariat Building, New Capital complex, Kunjaban, P.S: New Capital Complex, Agartala, West Tripura, Pin:799010. 3. The Secretary, Department of Finance, Govt. of Tripura, New Secretaiat Building, New Capital Complex, Kunjaban, P.S: New Capital Complex, Agartala, West Tripura, Pin:799010. 4. The Director, Social Welfare and Social Education, Malancha, Ujan Abhoynagar, Agartala, West Tripura. 5. Child Development Project Officer, Damcherra ICDS Project, North Truipura. 6. The Union of India, To be represented by the Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt. of India, Shastriya Bhawan, New Delhi. .... Respondent(s). For Petitioner (s) : Mr. J Murasing, Adv. For Respondent(s) : Mr. B Majumder, Dy. SGI. Mr. M Debbarma, Addl. GA. Whether fit for reporting : No. HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE S. DATTA PURKAYASTHA JUDGMENT & ORDER (ORAL) 10.09.2025 Heard learned counsel Mr. J Murasing, appearing for the petitioner as well as Mr. M Debbarma, learned Addl. GA appearing for the respondents No.1-5 and Mr. B Majumder, learned Dy. SGI appearing for the respondent No.6. 2. As agreed by all the learned counsel, the case is being disposed at the motion stage. 3. The petitioner was engaged as an Anganwadi Helper at Khakchang Para Anganwadi Centre, vide engagement letter dated 29.12.2007 (Annexure-1) issued by CDPO, Damcherra ICDS Project, Damcherra and according to the petitioner, she was discharging her duties un-interruptedly to the satisfaction of the authority, thereafter. 4. However, on 28.12.2022 a memorandum (Annexure-2) was issued by CDPO of Damcherra ICDS Project mentioning that five numbers of Anganwadi Centers at Khakchang Para, i.e. Kakchang Para Nos.1-5 were shifted to Kahamthai Para Bru Camp without the consent of the CDPO and thereby all such centers at Khakchang Para were locked with all equipments and utensils of those Centers and all Bru peoples were also shifted to Khakchang Para Bru Camp to Kahamthai Para Bru Camp in the last week of November, 2022. In that context, CDPO, Damcherra ICDS Project submitted a report to the Director of Social Welfare & Social Education Department, Government of Tripura for taking decision in this regard and meanwhile, honorarium of five numbers of Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers in those Anganwadi Centers were held up with effect from the month of December, 2022 until further orders. 5. Out of total ten numbers of Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers of said five numbers of Anganwadi Centers, five numbers of Anganwadi Workers and four numbers of Anganwadi helpers earlier filed the WP(C) No.550/2024 which was disposed of by this court on 24.07.2025, inter alia, with the following observations and directions: “ 6. On consideration of the submissions of both sides and also on perusal of the documents submitted by the parties, it appears from the memorandum dated 28.12.2022 that while Anganwadi Centers were shifted from Khakchang Para Bru camp to Khahamthai Para Bru camp without the consent of the CDPO, Damcherra ICDS Project, he sent a report to the respondent No.4 for taking necessary decision in this regard but nothing is produced from the side of the respondents that the respondent No.4 has taken any decision on the said report of CDPO [the respondent No.5 herein] and for unnecessarily causing delay in decision making process, the honorarium of the petitioners have been withheld in this way for indefinite period without any valid reason. Though it is a fact that the petitioners did not discharge their duties during the period from December, 2022 till date but no blame can be attached on them for that purpose as they were prevented from discharging their duties. It is also true that without discharging their duties, they cannot claim their full honorarium. Taking note of the above facts, it appears that the submission of Mr. Roy Barman, learned senior counsel, is more acceptable. When the petitioners could not discharge their duties during that period being prevented by the respondents, the entire amount of the honorarium cannot be withheld by the respondents. 7. Considering all these aspects and based on the discussions made above, the writ petition is partly allowed. The respondent No.4 is directed to take a conscious decision within 15 [fifteen] days of receipt of the copy of this judgment and order, on the report submitted by the respondent No.5 to him/her and simultaneously, the respondent Nos. 4 & 5 are also directed to release 50% of the monthly honorarium to all the petitioners computing from December, 2022 till the period their such honorarium is kept withheld in this manner. Payment of such honorarium computed up to July, 2025 should be made within 4 [four] weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order. The writ petition is accordingly disposed of. Interim application(s), if any, also stands disposed of.” 6. The left out one Anganwadi Helper has now filed the instant writ petition. 7. The learned counsel of both side submit that the present writ petition is covered by the above said decision of this court, subject to any challenge made by any party before the higher forum in this regard. 8. Considered the submissions. 9. The present writ petition is disposed of in the similar line that the respondent No.4 shall take a conscious decision in terms of above said judgment dated 24.07.2025, on the report submitted by respondent No.5 to him/her and simultaneously the respondent Nos. 4 & 5 shall also release 50% of the monthly honorarium to the present petitioner computing December, 2022 till the period such honorarium is kept withheld in this manner. Payment of such honorarium computed up to July, 2025 shall be made within 4(four) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The petition is accordingly disposed of. JUDGE Satabdi SATABDI DUTTA Digitally signed by SATABDI DUTTA Date: 2025.09.12 16:26:28 +05'30'