IN THE HIGH COURT FOR THE STATES OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH. C.W.P. No. 6296 of 2009. [O&M] Date of Decision: 20th August 2010. Inderjit Singh Petitioner through Mr. N.S.Kandhola, Advocate Versus State of Punjab & Ors. Respondents through Mr. H.S.Brar, Addl.AG, Punjab. Ms. J.S.Gurna, Advocate. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURYA KANT. 1. Whether Reporters of local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? 2. To be referred to the Reporters or not? 3. Whether the judgment should be reported in the Digest? SURYA KANT, J. [ORAL] The petitioner seeks a direction for the release of his retiral dues including pension, gratuity and GPF etc. Shorn of the details, the petitioner joined the Punjab Mandi Board as an Auction Recorder on 07.06.1971 and was promoted as Mandi Supervisor/Fee Collector in the year 1980. The petitioner is said to have applied for pre-mature retirement w.e.f. 3.8.1994. His application was finally accepted by the Market Committee, Ludhiana vide its resolution No. 2 dated 27.3.2000 [Annexure P-1]. In this manner, the petitioner stood retired prematurely w.e.f. 3.8.1994 but effectively vide order dated 27.03.2000 only. The respondents have filed their counter-affidavit, followed by payment of `4,41,888/- to the petitioner vide cheque dated 12.03.2010. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that besides interest, there are some other dues as well which have not been paid to the petitioner. In order to determine the petitioner's entitlement to interest, it is to be observed that though according to the respondents, the petitioner was absent from duty since August, 1994 but the fact remains that his request for pre-mature retirement was finally accepted on 27.3.2000. In my considered view, once the respondents themselves decided to retire the petitioner voluntarily, it was imperative upon them to release his retiral benefits within a reasonable period thereafter. The record does not indicate that any such attempt was ever made by the respondents. In this view of the matter, I hold that the petitioner is entitled to be paid simple interest @ 6% per annum w.e.f. 1.07.2000 onwards till the actual payment of his retiral dues. The respondents are accordingly directed to calculate and pay the arrears of interest to the petitioner within a period of three months from the date a certified copy of this order is received. As regard to any other retiral dues, the petitioner shall be at liberty to make a representation to the Competent Authority who shall consider and dispose of the same sympathetically and in accordance with law, preferably within a period of three months from the date of its receipt. Disposed of. Dasti. August 20, 2010. ( SURYA KANT ) dinesh JUDGE