WP(C) 721/2009 BEFORE THE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE B.K. SHARMA Heard Mr. M. Dutta, learned counsel for the petitioner as well as Mr. Da s, learned Standing counsel, Agriculture Department. The grievance of the petitioner is non-payment of family pension which s he claim as the wife of Late Nitya Narayan Goswami who was an employee under the respondents and went missing from 1997 (24.10.97). According to the petitioner apart from family pension she is also entitled to get fixation benefits pertain ing to her husband which was due from 1994. In the counter affidavit filed by the respondents they have mentioned ab out certain formalities to be observed towards granting family pension etc. Lear ned counsel for the petitioner submits that in fact these formalities are requir ed to be carried out by departmental authorities and unless the petitioner is gi ven appropriate guidance by the departmental authorities, it will be a never end ing process. Mr. Das, learned Standing counsel, Agriculture Department on the o ther hand submits that whatever formalities are required, same shall be carried out towards granting family pension and other benefits. As per the notification dated 29.03.2000 issued by the Govt. of Assam in the Pension and Public Grievance Department, a Rule namely Assam Service (Pensi on) (Amendment) Rules, 1999 has been promulgated. In the Rule, details have been laid down regarding grant of pension, death-cum-retirement gratuity and other p ension benefits in respect of the employee who disappeared leaving their family. The respondents are bound to carry out the formalities as per the requi rement of the said Rules and other Rules, if any, holding the field towards paym ent of family pension to the petitioner and also fixation benefits, if any, to w hich she is entitled to. Considering the matter in its entirety and having regard to the fact tha t the husband of the petitioner has been missing since 1997, the writ petition i s disposed of directing the respondents to complete the entire process granting family pension and other service benefits including the fixation benefit as expe ditiously as possible, but not later than the end of February, 2010. Writ petition is disposed of.