IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.8707 of 2002 ATREYA MUNNI RANI, wife of Shri Sheo Shankar Singh, resident of Quarter No. C/10, Road No.3, Water Tower, near Miller School, Patna … Petitioner Versus 1. THE MAGADH UNIVERSITY through its Registrar, Bodh Gaya 2. The Vice Chancellor, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya 3. The Finance Officer, Magadh University, Bodh Gaya 4. The Principal, Nalanda Mahila College, Bihar Shariff, Nalanda … Respondents ----------- 4. 21.6.2010 Heard counsel for the parties. The petitioner, retired teacher of Nalanda Mahila College, Bihar Sharif, a constituent wing of Magadh University, has moved this Court for the following relief: “This is an application for issuance of appropriate writ(s) for payment of arrears of salary to the petitioner from May, 1999 to February, 2000 (for the period of ten months), the balance amount of payment from March, 2000 to February, 2001 as account of part payment of salary to the petitioner due to paucity of funds, the arrears of salary from 1.8.2000 to 10.12.2000 for the period the other teacher of the college, but not this petitioner, were on strike. The petitioner further prays for a direction to the respondents to pay the arrears of difference of 2 scale granted by the U.G.C. as and when revised by the university alongwith the interest @ 18% per annum particularly in view of the fact that those salary has not been paid by the university to the petitioner due to their recalcitrant attitude and not due to fault on the part of the petitioner. The respondent should also pay arrears of other admissible dues of the petitioner for which she may be found entitled to in accordance with law.” Mr. Tej Bahadur Singh, learned Senior counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, would submit that there would be no dispute with regard to the aforementioned claim of the petitioner, inasmuch as her services were found to be absolutely in order as would be evident from the order of her absorption and the subsequent notification granting promotion. He would also submit that certain confusion with regard to the petitioner continuing on strike has also been clearly removed by the Registrar of the University and therefore, salary of the petitioner could not also have been withheld on the ground of she being on 3 strike. This Court would find that a period of eight years has not been sufficient for the University to file a counter affidavit. It is not only surprising but also shocking for this Court to note that the authorities of Magadh University and its authorities have now literally adopted a course of complete non-cooperation and therefore, keeping the writ petition pending awaiting filing of counter affidavit would amount to wastage of time. Considering the aforementioned aspect this Court would direct the Vice Chancellor and the Registrar of the University to look into the grievance of the petitioner and pass a reasoned order on the pending representation of the petitioner, as contained in Annexure 9. It will be also open for the petitioner to file a fresh representation but of course limiting her grievance as raised in this writ application. In the event of filing of a fresh representation or even otherwise the respondent authorities of the University 4 including its Vice Chancellor and the Registrar would ensure passing of a reasoned order and also making payment of the admitted dues amount to the petitioner within a period of six months from the date of receipt/ production of a copy of this order. The period of six months has only been given because if any issue with regard to non-availability of fund emerges that also may be sorted out between the University and the State, inasmuch as the State also in this case has not filed any counter affidavit in this case. With the aforementioned observation and direction, this application is finally disposed of. (Mihir Kumar Jha,J.) Surendra/