IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH LPA No. 1586 of 2011(O&M) Date of decision: 13.10.2011 Darshan Singh ..Appellant Versus PSPCL and another ..Respondents CORAM:HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PERMOD KOHLI HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE TEJINDER SINGH DHINDSA Present: Mr. H.P.S. Ishar, Advocate for the appellant. Mr. J.S. Mehndiratta, Advocate for the respondents. **** PERMOD KOHLI, J.(ORAL) This appeal is directed against the judgment dated 25.1.2011 passed by the learned Single Judge in CWP No. 20185 of 2009. The direction has been issued to the respondents to pay interest to the appellant (petitioner) @ 6% per annum on the delayed payments of retiral benefits w.e.f. 1.11.2002 till the date of actual payments. It is not in dispute that there has been delay in payment of pensionary benefits including gratuity. The grievance of the petitioner before us is that the rate of interest awarded by the Learned Single Judge is too less particularly in respect to the payments which carry statutory interest. After hearing counsel for the parties, we are of the considered opinion that appellant is entitled to statutory interest on the delayed payment of gratuity. In so far as the rate of interest on other pensionary benefits awarded by learned Single Bench is concerned, we find no ground to interfere with the same. In view of the above circumstances, this appeal is partially allowed. The Judgement of the learned Single Judge is modified to the LPA No. 1586 of 2011(O&M) -2- extent that the petitioner shall be entitled to statutory interest on delayed payment of the gratuity. Let the interest component be recalculated and entire payment be paid within a period of three months. (PERMOD KOHLI) JUDGE (TEJINDER SINGH DHINDSA) October 13, 2011 JUDGE Poonam (II)