Veerender Singh Siradhana, J. - (1.) The limited controversy involved in the instant writ application is only to the extent of non -payment of interest on the amount of gratuity for which order of payment was made on 4th February, 2003, and the payment was made on 21st January, 2003.
(2.) Briefly, the essential material facts necessary for appreciation of the controversy are that while the petitioner (since deceased through legal heirs) while working on the post of Statistical Assistant in the Department of Economics and Statistics, Government of Rajasthan, was sent on deputation to Rajasthan Energy Development Agency (for short 'REDA') on 6th February, 1992, on the post of Scientific Assistant. The petitioner was finally absorbed and his technical resignation from the parent department i.e. Government of Rajasthan, was accepted on 5th December, 1998. The petitioner retired attaining the age of superannuation on 31st October, 2001, from the REDA. Since the amount of gratuity was released after an inordinate delay, the petitioner has instituted the present writ application claiming interest on the amount for delay @ 24% per annum.
(3.) I have heard the learned counsel for the parties and with their assistance, perused the materials available on record as well as gave my thoughtful consideration to the rival submissions at Bar.;