Writ petitions seeking direction to revise pension and Grade Pay. Court found State ready to follow Government Resolution; petitions disposed of with directions to banks and State to comply within six weeks.
Petitions disposed. Respondents directed to comply with Govt. Resolution No. 660 dated 28.02.2009 and issue revised PPOs within six weeks.
This page shows the compact analysis of this judgement. The full analysis — procedural history, issue-by-issue holdings with ratio and obiter, advocates, and paragraph-level evidence for every claim — is being added to the record in batches and will appear here when this judgement has been through it.
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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI
W.P. (S) No. 2495 of 2015
1. Chhot Ray Baskey, S/o Late Madhav Baskey, R/o VillageBaliadhipa, P.O- Kowali, P.S.- Kowali, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
2. Nitya Nand Mandal, S/O Late Shashi Bhushan Mandal,
3. Gobardhan Mandal, S/O Late Balaram Mandal,
4. Anil Ratan Mandal, S/O Late Purna Chandra Mandal,
5. Dibakar Mandal, S/O Late Suresh Chandra Mandal,
6. Aswini Kumar Mandal, S/O Late Devendra Nath Mandal, R/O Village- Kharband, P.O- Amlatola, P.S.- Kowali, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
7. Binod Bihari Dey, S/O Late Nilmani Dey, R/O Village- Nuagram, P.O- Juri, P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
8. Khoka Munda, S/o Late Bharat Munda, Village & P.O- Kalikapur, P.S- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
9. Panchudhar Shit, S/O Late Raghab Chandra Shit, VillageBegunadih, P.O. & P.S- Kowali, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
10. Bhaba Taran Mandal, S/O Late Kailash Chandra Mandal, VillageBarabhumri, P.O- Juri, P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
11. Anadi Ranjan Mandal, S/o Late Surendra Nath Mandal, VillageBarabhumri, P.O- Juri, P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
12. Bishnu Pada Mandal, S/O Late Bhupati Mandal, Village- Mojhgoon,
13. Asit Kumar Mandal, S/O Late Pulin Bihari Mandal,
14. Bishnupada Mandal, S/O Late Shubnath Mandal,
15. Ardha Chandra Mandal, S/O Late Baikuntha Mandal,
16. Ananda Mohan Mandal, S/O late Keshal Chandra Mandal, All resident of R/O Vill- Mahuldiha, P.O- Tangran, P.S.- Kowali, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur
17. Jitendra Nath Mandal, S/o late Balram Mandal, R/O VillBarabhumri, P.O- Juri, P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur
18. Satyaban Mandal, S/O Late Nagendra Nath Mandal, R/O VillBarabhalki, P.O.- Balki, P.S.- Kowali, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur
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19. Haladhar Mandal, S/o late Gowardhan Mandal, R/O Vill, P.O. & P.S.Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur
20. Ananda Chandra Mandal, S/O late Lal Bihari Mandal, R/O VillBarabhumri, P.O- Juri, P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur
21. Karali Pada Mandal, S/O Late Purno Chandra Mandal, R/O VillBarabhumri, P.O-Juri, P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur
22. Nirod Baran Mandal, S/O late Avdut Mandal, R/O Vill- Chaliama, P.O. & P.S.- Tumung, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur
23. Purna Chandra Sardar, S/O Late Lora Sardar, R/O Vill & P.O.Sangram, P.S. - Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur
24. Pradhan Hansda, S/O Late Ramsing Hansda, R/O Vill- Mako, P.OBhalki, P.S.- Kowali, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur
Versus
1. The State of Jharkhand.
2. The Secretary, Finance Department, Project Building, P.O. & P.S.Dhurwa, Ranchi
3. The Accountant General, P.O. & P.S.- Doranda, Ranchi
4. The Treasury Officer, East Singhbhum, P.O. & P.S.- Sakchi, Jamshedpur
5. The Branch Manager, Bank of India, Hata Branch, P.O- Juri, P.SPotka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur
… … … … … … Respondents
With
W.P. (S) No. 2497 of 2015
1. Patit Pawan Bera, S/O Late Bullabh Chandra Bera, R/O Village & P.O. & P.S.- Chakulia Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
2. Murahar Bera, S/o Late Rakhal Bera, R/o Village- Dakhisole, P.O.Sardiha via Chakulia, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
3. Radha Raman Mahato, S/o Late Gobinda Prasad Mahato, R/O Village- Malkundi, P.O.- Matiabandhi via Dhalbhumgarh, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
… … … … … … Petitioners
1. The State of Jharkhand.
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2. The Secretary, Finance Department, Project Building, P.O. & P.S.Dhurwa, Ranchi
3. The Accountant General, P.O. & P.S.- Doranda, Ranchi
4. The Treasury Officer, East Singhbhum, P.O. & P.S.- Sakchi, Jamshedpur
5. The Branch Manager, State Bank of India, Chakulia Branch, P.O. & P.S.- Chakulia, Dist- East Singhbhum.
… … … … … … Respondents
With
W.P. (S) No. 2500 of 2015
1. Ashwini Kumar Mandal, S/O Late Prafull Kumar Mandal, R/O Village, P.O. & P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
2. Nibaran Chandra Mandal, S/o Late Prabhas Chandra Mandal, R/o Village & P.O- Sangram, P.S. - Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur. 3. Lord Bhuij, S/O Late Lado Bhumij, R/O Village- Bara Sigdi, P.O. & P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
4. Parmeshwar Singh, S/O Late Sankar Singh, R/O Village & P.O.Manpur, P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
5. Jaladhar Mandal, S/O Late Khetra Mohan Mandal, R/O VillageHesalbil, P.O. & P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
6. Thakurdas Mandal, S/O Late Prahlad Chandra Mandal, R/O VillageBurudih, P.O.- Sangram & P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur. 7. Bhupati Bhushan Gope, S/O Late Sarbeshwar Gope, R/O VillageDhiral, P.O.- Dhiral, P.S.- Potka,Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
8. Prakar Mandal,
9. Sudhakar Mandal
Both S/O Late Rajnikanta Mandal, R/O Village, P.O. & P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
10. Susanta Mandal, S/O Late Nalini Kanto Mandal, R/O Village, P.O. & P.S.- Kowali, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
… … … … … … Petitioners
Versus
1. The State of Jharkhand.
2. The Secretary, Finance Department, Project Building, P.O. & P.S.Dhurwa, Ranchi
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3. The Accountant General, P.O. & P.S.- Doranda, Ranchi
4. The Treasury Officer, East Singhbhum, P.O. & P.S.- Sakchi, Jamshedpur
5. The Branch Manager, State Bank of India, Potka Branch, P.O. & P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur
6. The Branch Manager, State Bank of India, A.M.Y., Parsudi Branch, P.O. & P.S.- Parsudi, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur
… … … … … … Respondents
With
W.P. (S) No. 2501 of 2015
1. Gostha Bihari Shaw, S/O Late Isher Chanda Shaw, R/O VillageKumaradol, P.O- Bhagabandi, P.S.- Dumaria, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
2. Madhusudan Hembrom, S/O Late Surai Hembrom, R/O VillageChamragutta, P.O. & P.S.- Dumaria Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
3. Baidya Nath Shaw, S/O Late Guru Charan Shaw,
Both R/O Village- Pandurai, P.O. & P.S.- Dumaria, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
… … … … … … Petitioners
Versus
1. The State of Jharkhand.
2. The Secretary, Finance Department, Project Building, P.O. & P.S.Dhurwa, Ranchi
3. The Accountant General, P.O. & P.S.- Doranda, Ranchi
4. The Treasury Officer, East Singhbhum, P.O. & P.S.- Sakchi, Jamshedpur
5. The Branch Manager, Bank of India, Dumaria Branch, P.O. & P.S.Dumaria, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
… … … … … … Respondents
With
W.P. (S) No. 6184 of 2015
1. Sabitree Mandla, W/O Late Gobinda Chandra Mandal, R/O Vill-
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Hasalbil, P.O. & P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
2. Latika Mandal, W/O Late Banshidhar Mandal,
3. Basumati Devi, W/O Late Sita Nath Mandal, Both R/O Vill, P.O. & P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
4. Niyati Rani, W/O Late Birodh Baran Mandal, R/O Vill- Hasalbil, P.O. & P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
Versus
1. The State of Jharkhand.
2. The Secretary, Finance Department, Project Building, P.O. & P.S.Dhurwa, Ranchi
3. The Accountant General, P.O. & P.S.- Doranda, Ranchi
4. The Treasury Officer, East Singhbhum, P.O. Sakchi, & P.S.- Sakchi, Jamshedpur
5. The Branch Manager, State Bank of India, Potka Branch, P.O. & P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
With
W.P. (S) No. 6205 of 2015
1. Mayabati Murmu, W/O Late Lugu Murmu, R/O Village & P.O. Manpur, P.S.- Potka Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
2. Shakuntala Majhi, W/O Late Mehgrai Majhi, R/O Village & P.OKalikapur, P.S.- Potka Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
Versus
1. The State of Jharkhand.
2. The Secretary, Finance Department, Project Building, P.O. & P.S.Dhurwa, Ranchi
3. The Accountant General, P.O. & P.S.- Doranda, Ranchi
4. The Treasury Officer, East Singhbhum, P.O. & P.S.- Sakchi, Jamshedpur
5. The Branch Manager, Bank of India, Kalikapur Branch, P.OKalikapur, P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur
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With
W.P. (S) No. 6206 of 2015
1. Anjali Mandal, W/O Late Anil Ratan Mandal, R/O Village & P.O.Tangran, P.S.- Kowali, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
2. Namita Mandal, W/O Late B.B. Mandal, Vill- Mahuldiha, P.OTangrain, P.S.- Kowali, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
3. Bibosona Mandal, W/O Late Binod Bihari Mandal, R/O Vill- Bara Bhumri, P.O- Juri, P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
… … … … … … Petitioners
Versus
1. The State of Jharkhand.
2. The Secretary, Finance Department, Project Building, P.O. & P.S.Dhurwa, Ranchi
3. The Accountant General, P.O. & P.S.- Doranda, Ranchi
4. The Treasury Officer, East Singhbhum, P.O. & P.S.- Sakchi, Jamshedpur
5. The Branch Manager, Bank of India, Hata Branch, P.O- Juri, P.SPotka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
… … … … … … Respondents
With
W.P. (S) No. 6274 of 2015
1. Santosh Kumar Chatterjee, S/O Late Satish Chandra Chatterjee, R/O Village- Haludbani, P.O. & P.S.- Tatanagar, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
2. Kalipada Mandal, S/O Late Abodhut Mandal, R/O Village- Chilama, P.O.- Tumung, P.S.- Rajnagar, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
Versus
1. The State of Jharkhand.
2. The Secretary, Finance Department, Project Building, P.O. & P.S.Dhurwa, Ranchi
3. The Accountant General, P.O. & P.S.- Doranda, Ranchi
4. The Treasury Officer, East Singhbhum, P.O. & P.S.- Sakchi, Jamshedpur
5. The Branch Manager, Bank of India, Sundarnagar Branch, P.O-
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Tatanagar, P.S- Sundarnagar, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur. 6. The Branch Manager, Bank of India, Hata Branch, P.O- Juri, P.SPotka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
With
W.P. (S) No. 6275 of 2015
1. Chitta Ranjan Mahato, S/O Late Kandulal Mahato, R/O Vill & P.ODandudih, P.S.- Bahragora, Dist- Eat Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
2. Rakhal Chandra Karan, S/O Late Abhay Chandra Karan, R/o Village- Rajabandh, P.O. & P.S.- Bahragora, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
3. Jamini Ranjan Paul, S/O Late Patit Praban Paul R/O Village- Winala, P.O. & P.S.- Bahragora, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
Versus
1. The State of Jharkhand.
2. The Secretary, Finance Department, Project Building, P.O. & P.S.Dhurwa, Ranchi
3. The Accountant General, P.O. & P.S.- Doranda, Ranchi
4. The Treasury Officer, East Singhbhum, P.O. & P.S.- Sakchi, Jamshedpur
5. The Branch Manager, State Bank of India, Bahragora Branch, P.O. & P.S.- bahragora, Dist- East Singhbhum.
With
W.P. (S) No. 6291 of 2015
1. Krittibas Kaibartta, S/O Natha Kaibartta, R/O Village & P.O. Kalikapur, P.S.- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
2. Gopal Chandra Gope, S/O A.K. Kumar Gope, At & P.O.- Dhirol, P.S. Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
3. Golok Bihari Murmu, S/O Kashturi Murmu,
4. Sristi Dhar Dhal, S/O Kanka Dhal,
All R/O At & P.O- Manpur, P.S.- Potka, Dist- Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur.
… … … … … … Petitioners
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Versus
1. The State of Jharkhand.
2. The Secretary, Finance Department, Project Building, P.O. & P.S.Dhurwa, Ranchi
3. The Accountant General, P.O. & P.S.- Doranda, Ranchi
4. The Treasury Officer, East Singhbhum, P.O. & P.S.- Sakchi, Jamshedpur
5. The Branch Manager, Bank of India, Kalikapur Branch, P.OKalikapur, P.S- Potka, Dist- East Singhbhum, Jamshedpur
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S. K. DWIVEDI
For the Petitioner: M/s. Rajendra Krishna, A.K. Sahani, Advocates For the Respondents: M/s. Hemant Kr Gupta (SC-V), Krishna Shankar (SC, L&C), Dr. Ashok Kr Singh, P.A.S. Pati, Rishi Pallava, Vijayant Verma, Tarun Kr Mahato, Sonil Kr Agarwal, Shruti Shrestha, Amit Kr Verma, Amritanshu Singh, Gyanendra Kumar, Kumari Anita, A.C./Advocates
10/Dated : 05.07.2019
1) The petitioners have preferred these writ petitions seeking a direction upon the respondents to revise their pay scale and Grade Pay as per Chapter 5, paragraph 5.3 of the Fitment Committee Chart and issue PPO indicating existing/revised Grade Pay, Pay Band and Length of Service and provide the same to respondent Nos.5 and respondent Nos.3 and 4 who are the Pension Sanctioning authorities of the petitioners.
2) These writ petitions were heard on various dates by Coordinate Bench of this Court. On 31.05.2019 this Court observed that in spite of various efforts made by this Court and after getting several adjournments, the issue regarding revision of pension of the petitioners, which is due from 01.01.2006, has not been resolved. This Court also observed that the respondents are not serious in resolving the issue. It is an admitted position that entitlement of the petitioners is not in dispute. The petitioners are entitled to get revised pension and taking into consideration all these facts, this Court allowed time till 14th June, 2019 by way of last chance to the State Government to resolve the issue.
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3) Mr. Rajendra Krishna, learned counsel for the petitioners, drew attention of this Court to Annexure-3 which is a letter dated 18.03.2014 issued by the office of the Accountant General for revision of pension for pre 2006 retirees, wherein it has been taken into account that pre 2006 retirees are entitled for pensionary benefits by their pension disbursing Banks as per para 5.3 of Chapter 5 of the Finance Department, Government of Jharkhand, Resolution No.660 dated 28.02.2009. In this letter it is also noted that the pension/family pension of pre-2006 retirees has to be revised as per instruction declared in Annexure III at page No.144 of the State Government resolution as detailed in that letter.
4) Pursuant to the order dated 13.05.2019, the Government of Jharkhand has filed supplementary counter affidavit in which referring to Annexure-A, counsel for the State submits that on 20.05.2019, a meeting was convened under the Chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary, Planning Cum Finance Department, Government of Jharkhand, Ranchi with respect to revision of pension of the retired employees according to Part-B of 6th Pay Revision Commission. Referring to this, the learned State counsel submits that the controversy in question has already been set at rest, as, it has been decided that the Accountant General will be requested for issuance of amended/revised PPO of pre 2006 retirees. He further took this Court to Annexure-F of the counter affidavit which is again a letter dated 31.05.2019 issued by the Office of the Principal Accountant General, Jharkhand, which suggests that as per statement it is clear that Part-A i.e. Revision done by Pension Disbursing Authorities as per Concordance Table admission from 01.01.2006 (Para 17 of Finance Department, Govt. of Jharkhand Resolution No.660 dated 28.02.2009) is more beneficial than Part-B i.e. revision as admissible as per Finance Department Govt. of Jharkhand Resolution No.858 dated 27.03.2015. Hence, there is no question of further revision of pension/family pension of pensioners listed in the statement enclosed herewith and the Statement of Fixation as per Planning-cum-Finance Department, Govt. of Jharkhand letter No.70 dated 02.05.2016 is already annexed with this letter. On perusal of the same, it transpires that Part-A is more beneficial and considering this, the Accountant General has issued a letter dated 31.05.2019 saying that Part-A is more beneficial and if the petitioners are
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to be paid under Part-A, then there is no question of revision of pension by way of Part-B.
5) At this stage, Mr. Krishna submits that Part-A is also not in consonance with the provision provided for calculating the pension.
6) In view of the supplementary counter affidavit and the decision taken by the Committee in the Chairmanship of the Additional Chief Secretary and the letter dated 31.05.2019, this Court finds that the benefits provided under Part-A is more beneficial and the respondents are ready to follow the direction of Para 17 of the Finance Department, of Government of Jharkhand Resolution No.660 dated 28.02.2009. Counsel appearing for the Bank of India submits that pursuant to this decision, the Bank of India is already releasing revised pension in favour of the pensioners. So far as counsel for the State Bank of India is concerned, he has submitted that they will also follow the same line as soon as they receive the instruction through PPO from the Accountant General for the pensioners in question.
7) Mr. Hemant Kumar Gupta, S.C.-V, submits that the State has already taken steps to immediately comply the direction of the State Government as mentioned in Para 17 of the Finance Department, Govt. of Jharkhand Resolution No.660 dated 28.02.2009. Mr. Gupta further submits that he will also instruct the Officers to intimate the concerned Banks in this regard as early as possible and not later than six weeks from today.
8) In view of the aforesaid submissions of the State Counsel, these writ petitions are disposed of. It goes without saying that if the petitioners are still aggrieved, they will file their representations pointing out their claim and the authorities concerned shall consider and dispose of the same.
(S. K. Dwivedi, J)
Manoj/
2 issues framed by the court
Whether the petitioners are entitled to revision of their pension and Grade Pay as per the Fitment Committee Chart.
Whether the State Government authorities are ready to comply with the direction to revise pension.
Chhot Ray Baskey or others
The State of Jharkhand
S. K. Dwivedi
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
