IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.1799 of 2007 JAGANNATH JHA, son of late Jatadhar Jha, resident of Tilath, P.S. Ghoghardiha, District – Madhubani. Versus 1. THE STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD, Bailey Road, Patna, through the Secretary. 2. The Secretary, Bihar State Electricity Board, Bailey Road, Patna. 3. The Deputy Director of Accounts, Mithila Electric Supply Area, Darbhanga. 4. The General Manager-cum-Chief Engineer, Mithila Electric Supply Area, Darbhanga. 5. The Electrical Superintending Engineer, Mithila Electric Supply Area, Darbhanga. 6. The Electrical Executive Engineer, Electric Supply Division, Jhanjharpur. 7. The Assistant Electrical Engineer, Electric Supply Division, Jhanjharpur. 8. Sri Deobardhan Prasad son of name not known to the petitioner, at present working as Electrical Executive Engineer, Electric Supply Division, Jhanjharpur. ----------- 03. 31.03.2009 Based on the counter affidavit and the statements made therein the petitioner submits that even though authorization for gratuity was made way back in the year 2006, the same has not been released in favour of the petitioner and respondents be directed to expedite the payment and honour their commitment. Respondents have categorically stated in the counter affidavit that keeping in view the bifurcation of the State and the various orders having been passed by different courts, payment of gratuity is being made by the respondents keeping in mind the date of retirement of the employees. The authorizations/payments have been made till March 2006. The petitioner will also get his due in due time and there is no occasion to direct the respondents to make payment by ignoring the queue. Keeping the above averments in mind, the writ application - 2 - is disposed of with a direction upon the respondents that they shall ensure that the petitioner will be paid his gratuity amount the moment his turn comes in the queue. As far interest on delayed payment is concerned the petitioner has liberty to claim the same if the occasion arises and respondents have a duty to take appropriate decision within a time frame. The writ application stands disposed of. rkp (Ajay Kumar Tripathi, J)