WP(C) 4631/2011 BEFORE THE HON’BLE JUSTICE MR B.K. SHARMA None appears for the petitioner on call. I have heard Mrs. T. Barman, le arned counsel appearing for Mr. B.K. Sarma, learned Standing Counsel, Social Wel fare Department. By means of this writ petition, the petitioner has prayed for a directio n to the respondents to release her monthly salary for the period 12.8.2000 to 3 0.6.2005 ; for two months during the year 2009-10 and for the current year 2011. As per the statement made in the writ petition, the petitioner was engaged as a Cook in the Home for the Destitute Women and Helpless Person, Bamunigaon, Boko . Such engagement was for the year 1990 and to be precise on 2.3.1990. Although, no counter affidavit has been filed, Mrs. Barman, leaned couns el appearing for Social Welfare Department, has produced the letter dated 11.11. 2011 addressed to the learned Standing Counsel, Social Welfare Department, by th e Director of Social Welfare Department, conveying the decision of the authority to move the Govt. for sanction of the required amount towards payment of salary to the petitioner. The amount indicated in the letter is Rs. 1,32,298/-. Howeve r, the letter does not disclose as to why the salary of the petitioner is withhe ld. It is only because of filing of the writ petition, steps have been taken tow ards release of salary to the petitioner. The petitioner was appointed as Cook in the fixed pay of Rs. 750/- per m onth. Thereafter, her salary was increased from time to time. The petitioner aft er having rendered almost 21 years of service, is entitled to get her salary fix ed in the time scale of pay. Be that as it may, in view of the aforesaid letter dated 11.11.2011 and even otherwise also, the petitioner being in the employment roll of the respondents, they cannot deny the matter for payment of salary to t he petitioner. In view of the above, the writ petition is disposed of directing the res pondents to pay salary to the petitioner, both arrear and current, as quickly as possible, but at any rate not later then 15.01.2012. Failure to pay the salary may make the respondents / erring officials liable to payment of interest. If an y approval of the Finance Department is required, the said Department may give s uch approval without any delay. Ms. T. Barman, learned counsel appearing for the Social Welfare Departme nt, will apprise the department about this order. With the above directions and observations, the writ petition stands dis posed of, without however, any order as to costs.