P SAMPATH Vs. SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD the learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr.N.Senthil Kumar, learned Additional Government Pleader for the first respondent and Mr.A.Vijayakumar, counsel for the second respondent - Tamil Nadu Housing Board.

(2.) THE writ petitioner has retired from service on 30.11.2000 having served as an Assistant Revenue Officer under the Tamil Nadu Housing Board. However, the amount due to him on the encashment of leave on private affairs, which he is entitled in accordance with G.O.Ms.No.488, Finance (Pension) Department dated 12.08.1996 has not been disbursed. THErefore, the present writ petition has been filed for a direction against the respondents to pay the said amount along with interest at 18% per annum.

(3.) FOLLOWING the same, considering the facts and circumstances of the case that the Tamil Nadu Housing Board has taken nearly 10 years for the sanction of encashment of leave on private affairs, I am of the view that the petitioner is entitled for interest at 18% per annum. In these circumstances, the writ petition is allowed with a direction to the second respondent- Tamil Nadu Housing Board to pay the entire amount due to the petitioner on encashment of leave on private affairs within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order along with 18% interest per annum from the date on which it is due i.e., from the date of retirement till the date of payment. No costs.