IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.13091 of 2008 MAHESH SHARMA & ORS Versus THE STATE OF BIHAR & ORS ----------- No4 7-11-2008 Heard learned counsel for the petitioners and learned counsel for the State. Petitioners claim to be employees working in Mulwari Extension cum Training Centre , Raghopur Bakhari Sitamarhi. Their grievance is that their salary is not paid regularly and allotment for the year 2007-08 was made by the Director, Industries, Bihar for the non-plan temporary Malwari Extention cum Training Centres on 29th March, 2008. There was a mistake in naming Drawing and Disbursing authority. Such mistake was corrected on 31st. March, 2008 but still the respondent no.5, Treasury Officer Sitamarhi did not honour the bills for salary of the petitioners and as a result they have not received salary for the year 2007-08 and even after filing of the writ petition they have been paid only for the current four months since April, 2008. Respondent no.5 has filed a counter affidavit and explained that the correction in the description of Drawing and Disbursing Officer was made on 31st. March 2008 and therefore bill by the proper authority was not submitted before 3 P.M. and hence was not entertained in that financial year. In the facts and circumstances it is not possible to accept the prayer of the petitioners to punish respondent no.5. His explanation is satisfactory. The fault, if any, is of the Director, Industries, Government of Bihar in allotting necessary funds for payment of salary at the end of the financial year leading to such complications. If the State Government,in the department of Industries is interested in promoting Mulwari Extension cum Training at various centers then it should ensure that the concerned employees are paid their regular monthly salary in time. Non-payment of regular monthly salary is bound to have adverse effect upon the morale of the employees and it will be difficult for the superior authority to take work from such employees if they are not paid their salary almost for the whole year. Under the present arrangement the payment of salary after a delay of several months or a year is bound to affect the usefulness of such centers. In the facts of the case the writ petition is disposed of with a direction to the Director, Industries, Government of Bihar to look into the matter carefully so as to ensure that such centers if they are serving useful purpose or are meant to be useful in future must be carried on with care and necessary funds should be made available in time so as to ensure that timely payment of monthly salary to the petitioners and all Naresh other employees of such centers are made in a regular manner. For this purpose let a copy of this order be given to the learned counsel for the State who will transmit the same to the Director, Industries, Government of Bihar for doing the needful. It is expected that the Director shall ensure timely and regular payment of salary to the petitioners. Their arrears of salary shall be paid to them at an early date, preferably within three months. ( Shiva Kirti Singh,J)