IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.10907 of 2005 BIRENDRA PRASAD YADAV Versus THE STATE OF BIHAR & ORS ----------- 2 07.08.2008 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and learned counsel for the State. Petitioner’s grievance is that although he retired w.e.f. 31.12.2003 the G.P.F. amount has been paid to him on 3.9.2005 but the interest amount was calculated only up to 31.12.2003, whereas the same should have been calculated till the date of actual payment. Learned counsel for the state submits that, after retirement of petitioner on 31.12.2003, the G.P.F. amount with statutory interest was immediately calculated and the necessary authority slip was sent to the concerned B.D.O. with a copy to the Treasury Officer through letter no. 1186 dated 8.1.2004. However, when the amount was not paid to the petitioner for quite some time, the petitioner filed a representation before the B.D.O. Thereafter enquiry was made and it was found that the said authority slip had got misplaced in transit. When this came to notice of the respondent, a duplicate copy of the authority slip was issued on the basis thereof payments 2 have been made to the petitioner of G.P.F. amount with statutory interest till the date of drawing of that authority slip. It is apparent that there was no laches on the part of the respondents rather due to some postal defects there was delay in release of payments to the petitioner. It is an admitted position that petitioner has been paid his G.P.F. amount along with statutory interest till the date of drawing of the authority slip. The delay was caused due to postal laches for which the authorities can not be held responsible, and therefore, petitioner can not be entitled for statutory interest on the amount for the period 8.1.2004 to 3.9.2005. In the circumstances, the said prayer of the petitioner is refused and the writ application is dismissed. Arvind/ (J. N. Singh, ,J.)