22.09.2026 Item No.39 Ct. No. 14 IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA srm CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION APPELLATE SIDE WPA 6408 of 2026 Archana Rani Das versus State of West Bengal & ors. Mr. Goutam Kumar Maity … for the petitioner Mr. Nilendra Narayan Ray, Mr. Akash Adak … for the State 1. Affidavits of service filed on behalf of the petitioner are taken on record. 2. Written instruction filed by State furnished by District Inspector of Schools (PE), South 24-Parganas dated 19th August, 2026 is taken on record. 3. By the present writ petition, the petitioner seeks direction upon the respondent authorities for disbursement of interest on arrear family pension amount from the date of entitlement till the date of actual payment @ 18% per annum. 4. The petitioner contends that her husband, late Birendra Nath Das was an approved Head Teacher of Prajamongal Free Primary School, P.O. Bamankhali, District-South 24-Parganas and retired on 31st July, 2003. While receiving monthly pension, the husband of the petitioner died on 2nd September, 2021. After a lapse of long period, pension and arrear pension was released in favour of the petitioner. The arrear family pension was received by the petitioner on 20th November, 2024. However, no interest was paid on 2 delayed payment of arrear family pension. Hence, this writ petition. 5. Mr. Goutam Kumar Maity, learned advocate for the petitioner submits that the family pension and arrears were disbursed belatedly and as such the petitioner is entitled to receive interest on such amount. 6. Learned advocate representing the State submits that the District Inspector of Schools (PE), South 24- Parganas is not the competent authority to disburse family pension as well as arrear family pension along with interest. The application seeking for family pension was made only on 23rd September, 2021. 7. From the contention made in the writ petition, it is found that the husband of the petitioner retired on 31st July, 2003 and expired on 2nd September, 2021. The petitioner thereafter received arrear family pension on 20th November, 2024 without any interest. Hence, it is found that there is considerable delay in disbursement of the amount. 8. Accordingly, respondent No.2, Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance, Government of West Bengal and respondent No.4, Treasury Officer, Kakdwip, South 24-Parganas is directed to pay the interest @ 8% per annum in favour of the petitioner by way of the pensionary benefits on and from the date of application i.e. 23rd September, 2021 till the date of actual payment within a period of eight weeks from the date of communication of this order. 3 9. With the above directions, the writ petition being WPA 6408 of 2026 stands disposed of. 10. Learned advocate for the petitioner is directed to communicate this order to respondent No.2, Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance, Government of West Bengal and respondent No.4, Treasury Officer, Kakdwip, South 24-Parganas, for necessary compliance. 11. Since no affidavits have been called for, the allegations made in the writ petition are deemed to be not admitted. 12. Consequently, connected applications, if any, also stand disposed of. 13. Interim orders, if any, stand vacated. 14. There will be no order as to costs. 15. Urgent certified photostat copy of this order, if applied for, shall be given to the parties as expeditiously as possible on compliance of all necessary formalities. (Bivas Pattanayak, J.)