09.02.2026 Sl. No.60 Ct. No.14 ss IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA CONSTITUTIONAL WRIT JURISDICTION APPELLATE SIDE W.P.A. No. 18529 of 2025 Malini Mandi Versus The State of West Bengal & Ors. Ms. Jonaki Saha …for the Petitioner. Mr. Rabindra Nath Chakraborty …for the State. 1. Affidavit-of-service filed on behalf of the petitioner is taken on record. 2. By the present writ petition, the petitioner seeks direction upon the respondent authorities for disbursement of interest on delayed payment of revised gratuity and arrear pension from the date of effect of ROPA, 2019 till the date of actual payment @ 18% per annum in favour of the petitioner. 3. The petitioner contends that the petitioner’s husband was a Head Teacher in Baraghutu Primary School, P.O. Barabari, District Bankura. The husband of the petitioner died in-harness on 8th September, 2017. The first pension payment order was issued on 13th March, 2018 and the revised pension payment order was issued on 24th January, 2022. The revised gratuity and arrear pension amount were disbursed in favour of the petitioner on 30th January, 2022. 2 However, no interest on delayed payment of such amount was made to the petitioner. Hence, this writ petition. 4. Ms. Jonaki Saha, learned Advocate appearing for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is entitled to interest on gratuity and arrear pension amount from the date of effect of ROPA, 2019, i.e. 14th February, 2020 till the date of actual payment. 5. Mr. Rabindra Nath Chakraborty, learned advocate for the State leaves the matter to the discretion of the Court. 6. In terms of ROPA, 2019 the petitioner is entitled to receive the revised gratuity and arrear pension amount from the date of effect of ROPA, 2019, i.e. 14th February, 2020. The revised gratuity and arrear pension is disbursed on 30th January, 2022. As such, the petitioner is entitled to interest on the aforesaid amount. 7. Accordingly, the respondent No.2, Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance as well as respondent no.3, Treasury Officer, Khatra is directed to disburse interest @ 8% per annum on the revised gratuity and arrear pension amount in favour of the petitioner from the date of effect of ROPA, 2019 i.e. 14th February, 2020 till the date of actual payment, within a period of eight weeks from the date of communication of this order. 3 8. Learned Advocate for the petitioner is directed to communicate this order to the respondent No.2 Director of Pension, Provident Fund and Group Insurance and the respondent no.3, Treasury Officer, Khatra, for necessary compliance. 9. With the aforesaid direction, the writ petition being WPA 18529 of 2025 stands disposed of. 10. Since no affidavits have been called for, the allegation made in the writ petition is deemed to be not admitted. 11. Interim order, if any, stands vacated. 12. All connected applications, if any, stand disposed of. 13. There shall be no order as to costs. 14. All concerned parties shall act in terms of the copy of the order duly downloaded from the official website of this Court. (Bivas Pattanayak, J.)