S.J.MUKHOPADHAYA, J. - (1.) HEARD the parties. According to the petitioner, her husband late Rameshwar Mahto was in the services of the Electricity Board and died on 28th October, 1998, while posted as Skill Khalashi, Champaran, Hazaribagh. Her grievance is that the respondents have not yet paid the death -cum -retiral benefits gratuity, GPF, Group Saving Scheme, arrears of pension for the period from 28th October, 1998 to December, 2000 to which she is entitled.
(2.) COUNSEL for the J.S.E.B. submitted that the husband of the petitioner died while he was under the Bihar State Electricity Board. However, such submission cannot be accepted as the appointing authority and the authority to release payment was the Superintending Engineer, Electric Supply Circle, Hazaribagh and the next higher authority being General Manager -cum -Chief Engineer, Area Electricity Board, Hazaribagh. In the facts and circumstances, the case is remitted with a direction to the General Manager -cum -Chief Engineer, Area Electricity Board, Hazaribagh, Superintending Engineer, Electric Supply Circle, Hazaribagh and the Secretary, Jharkhand State Electricity Board, to decide the claim and pay the admitted dues, if found payable on the death of late Rameshwar Mahto, within three months from the date of receipt of representation, as may be preferred by the petitioner. The petitioner will represent separately before the General Manager - cum -Chief Engineer, Hazaribagh and Superintending Engineer, Hazaribagh.
(3.) IF the Jharkhand State Electricity Board feels that it is entitled to receive certain amount from the Bihar State Electricity Board, it may raise the question of technicality at the time of apportionment of assets/liability. The writ petition stands disposed of accordingly.;