WP(C) 4861/2010 BEFORE THE HON’BLE MR JUSTICE B.K. SHARMA This writ petition has been filed making a grievance against the order d ated 10.11.09 (Annexure-IV) by which the petitioner was placed under suspension. Such suspension is on the basis of certain allegations stated in the order itse lf. According to the petitioner, although he has been placed under suspensio n, but no departmental proceeding has been initiated against him except issuance of show cause notice dated 23.09.09 against which he has submitted his reply on 15.10.09. Another grievance raised in this writ petition is that although the p etitioner has been placed under suspension, he has not been paid his monthly sub sistence allowance. Ms. R. Chokraborty, learned Addl. Sr. Govt. Advocate has produced the co py of the letter dated 17.09.2010 addressed to the learned State counsel by the Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of Assam in the Panchayat and Rural Development de partment. In the letter, it has been stated that as per provision of FR & SR 52 (2) the petitioner is required to submit a non-employment certificate entitling him to receive subsistence allowance. It has been stated in the letter that the petitioner has not submitted any such certificate. The question is as to whether the respondents had ever intimated the petitioner for submission of such certif icate of subsistence allowance. As per law, once the officer/employee is placed under suspension the authority is required to ensure payment of subsistence allo wance. In the instant case, the petitioner has not been paid his subsistence all owance for the last one year. On the other hand, there is no progress in the departmental proceeding. Needless to say that prolonged suspension of an employee does not serve any purp ose. In view of the above, the respondents are directed to pay the subsistenc e allowance to the petitioner. The petitioner may also intimate the respondents about his employment status. Further, if the respondents are at all interested t o proceed against the petitioner by way of any departmental proceeding, they can not sit over the matter for indefinite period. They will have to complete the sa me as expeditiously as possible. Alternatively, they will have to consider/revie w the order of suspension as has been provided in the relevant guidelines. While carrying out such review, they will have to consider as to whether the continua tion of the petitioner under suspension will serve any purpose. Needless to say that even if the order of suspension is revoked, it will be open for the respon dents to proceed against the petitioner by way of departmental proceeding. The respondents shall consider the above aspects of the matter and pass appropriate order as expeditiously as possible, but at any rate not later than 31.10.2010. With the above directions, writ petition is disposed of.