S.J.MUKHOPADHAYA, J. - (1.) THIS writ petition has been preferred by the writ petitioner for a direction on the respondents to pay him the retiral benefits, such as, regular and revised pension, leave salary, gratuity and G.P.F. along with 18% penal interest, besides statutory interest, as also cost of litigation of Rs. 10.000/ -.
(2.) ACCORDING to the petitioner, he was appointed as Karmchari and thereafter, promoted to the post of Circle Inspector. Ultimately he retired from the services of the State on 30th June, 1996 as Circle Inspector, Khuntpani Circle, Chaibasa. He filed several representations for payment of regular pension and pension in the revised scale of pay as also the other retiral benefits but most of them were not paid. On the other hand, the Accountant General, Bihar, Patna, vide memo No. Pen -7 -190, dated 4th June, 1997 directed for recovery of certain amount from the petitioner on account of his non -passing of Hindi Noting and Drafting Examination, The stand taken by the Accountant General, Bihar, is that due to some major objections, the service book and pension papers of the petitioner were returned to the Department vide letter No. Pen -7 -189, dated 30th May, 1997 for rectifying the objections. Reminder was also given to the Deputy Commissioner, Chaibasa, with a copy to the Circle Officer, Khuntpani, West Singhbhum, Chaibasa, vide letter No. Pen -7 -851 -52, dated 15th/22nd. March, 2000. Request was also made to send the G.P.F. Account number of the petitioner.
(3.) IN the counter affidavit, filed on behalf of the State, general plea has been taken that the retiral benefits, such as, G.P.F., gratuity, leave encashment and group insurance have already been paid to the petitioner, as shown at page 29 : Sl. No.ItemAmountDate (i)G.P.F.Rs. 59,980/ -7.10.1996(ii)GratuityRs. 44,540/ -24.10.1996(iii)Group InsuranceRs. 26,333/ -24.10.1996(iv)Leave salaryRs. 14,836/ -23.7.1996;