IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CWP No. 11293 of 2008 Date of Decision: 22.1.2009. Dr. Nardev Singh ---Petitioner Vs. State of Punjab and others ---Respondents CORAM:- HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE PERMOD KOHLI. Present:- Mr. I.D. Singla, Advocate for the petitioner. Ms. Charu Tuli, Sr. D.A.G., Punjab. *** PERMOD KOHLI.J (ORAL) The petitioner has filed this petition seeking direction for payment of the retiral benefits. The petitioner retired from service on 31.12.2004 from the post of Assistant Director, Animal Husbandry. His grievance was that despite of representation and service of legal notice, his retiral benefits could not be settled and paid. However, it is admitted case of the petitioner that during the pendency of this petition, all his retiral benefits have been paid, though, belatedly. The petitioner has today filed an affidavit giving details of the delayed payments of retiral benefits. Respondents have filed an affidavit of Dr. Shashi Kant, Deputy Director Animal Husbandry, Hoshiarpur dated 15.1.2009, wherein an attempt is made to justify the delay. The grounds urged in the affidavit are that in an enquiry case against Gurpal Singh, Clerk, Enquiry Officer found connivance of the petitioner. However, neither the date of the enquiry nor the enquiry report has been placed on record. It is also admitted position CWP No. 11293 of 2008 -2- that no FIR or criminal proceedings were ever initiated against the petitioner during the service or even after his retirement. The delay in making payments cannot be attributed to the petitioner. The petitioner is accordingly found entitled to the interest on the delayed payments. So far as the delayed payment of GPF amount is concerned, petitioner is entitled to the statutory interest. On all other delayed retiral benefits including pension, the petitioner is entitled to interest @ 9% for the period of delay. Let the amount of interest be calculated and paid to the petitioner within a period of two months. Petition is disposed of as such. (PERMOD KOHLI) JUDGE 22.1.2009 lucky