September 22, 2026 (17) ARDR WPA 26423 of 2026 Madhabilata Mandal (Aich) Vs. The State of West Bengal & ors. Adv. Banshi Badan Maity, …for the petitioner. Adv. Renesa Dey, …for the State. Affidavit of service filed by the petitioner is taken on record. The petitioner’s husband was appointed as Peon of Ramnagar – I Panchayat Samity and died in harness on 10th October, 2023. Despite completing all pension related formalities within due time the pension payment order was issued by the concerned authority on 16th January, 2026. The gratuity amount and arrear pension were disbursed in favour of the petitioner 18th March, 2026. The petitioner has prayed for interest on the gratuity amount and arrear pension amount due to delay in disbursal of the same. Upon consideration of the submission made on behalf of the parties and material on record, the Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance, Government of West Bengal and the Treasury Officer, Contai, being the 3rd and 4th respondents herein, are directed to pay interest to the petitioner at the rate of eight per cent per annum on the gratuity and arrear pension amount calculated from 11th October, 2023 till the date of actual payment of the amount. Such amount shall be paid 2 within one month from the date of communication of this order. With the above observation and direction the writ petition is disposed of. There shall however, be no order as to costs. Since no affidavit is invited, the allegations contained in the petition are deemed not to have been admitted. Urgent certified website copy of this order, if applied for, be supplied to the parties upon compliance with all requisite formalities. (Suvra Ghosh, J.)