IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.1236 of 2008 ARJUN SINGH SON LATE HARDEO SINGH, RESIDENT OF VILLAGE AND P.S. BALAHPUR VIA – MIRJAPUR BUNDUAR, DISTRICT- BEGUSARAI (RETIRED FORESTER). Versus 1. THE STATE OF BIHAR IN DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST, 3RD SECRETARIATE, PATNA. 2. PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST, 3RD SECRETARIATE, PATNA. 3. PRINCIPAL CHIEF CONSERVATOR, FOREST, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND FOREST, TECHNOLOGY BHAWAN, PATNA. 4. CONSERVATOR-CUM-FIELD DIRECTOR, BALMIKI TIGER PROJECT, CHAMPARAN DIVISION AT BETTIAH, DISTRICT- WEST CHAMPARAN. 5. DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICER – CUM- DEPUTY DIRECTOR, BALMIKI TIGER PROJECT, CHAMPARAN DIVISION AT BETTIAH, DISTRICT- WEST CHAMPARAN. 6. D.F.O. MOTIHARI, FOREST DIVISION (A&E) MOTIHARI. 7. D.F.O., BALMIKI RAJKIYA BAYAPAR PRAMANDAL, BETTIAH. 8. ACCOUNTANT GENERAL, BIRCHAND PATEL MARG, PATNA. ----------- 2. 22.12.2009. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and the State. The petitioner came to this Court with a claim for certain arrears of salary and other service dues. Learned counsel for the petitioner from paragraph-16 of the counter affidavit submits that the claims of the petitioner have now been found justified and the payments have been made much belatedly in 2009 only after the petitioner instituted the present application and incurred costs by filing a writ petition after superannuation when his pensionary benefits are the only source of survival. - 2 - Learned counsel for the State from the counter affidavit is not in a position to justify the reasons for such belated acceptance of the claims of the petitioner. In that view of the matter, learned counsel for the petitioner next prays for interest on admittedly paid arrears. This Court could have well considered the claim for interest. In absence of any plausible explanation in the counter affidavit for the belated payments, the matter is remanded to the Principal Secretary, Department of Environment and Forest, Government of Bihar to consider the claim of the petitioner for grant of interest including quantum on the assertion that the petitioner has had to suffer for administrative lapses. Let the Principal Secretary pass a reasoned and speaking order on the claim for interest should he propose to deny interest. Grant of interest by him shall necessarily have to consider the consequent administrative action to be ordered for an enquiry and fixation of responsibility when - 3 - N.H./ the amount of interest paid by the State Government within the time fixed by the Principal Secretary shall ultimately be recovered from the salary of the erring officer. Let such consideration and appropriate decision be taken by the Principal Secretary within a maximum period of two months from the date of production of a copy of this order before him. The application stands disposed of. ( Navin Sinha,J.)