SABHA KHATOON Vs. STATE OF U P

JUDGEMENT

(1.) D. P. Singh, J. Heard learned Counsel for the petitioner, Sri N. D. Rai for respondents No. 2, 3 and 5 and learned Standing Counsel for respondent No. 1.

(2.) THIS petition is directed against the order dated 25-8-2001 passed by respondent No. 2 rejecting the claim of the petitioner for grant of family pension.

(3.) THE provision for pension, provident fund etc. for such employees of Basic Schools as the husband of the petitioner, was governed by Government Orders dated 1-10-1964 and 17-12-1965 (commonly known as the Triple Benefit Scheme ). On demands being raised by the employees for grant of pension proportionate to that given to Government employees, the State Government issued a Government order dated 8-3-1978 providing that those employees who are covered by the Triple Benefit Scheme and retire after 1-3-1977 would be entitled to only pension, but no family pension or gratuity, provided they opt for it and the employers share as deposited under the Triple Benefit Scheme is transferred under the relevant revenue head of the State Government whereafter they would be entitled to pension. THE said Government order was followed by the Government order dated 31-3-1982 wherefor the first time the benefit of family pension was extended to those employees who earlier were covered by the Triple Benefit Scheme and had opted for the pension scheme and this Family Pension Scheme was made effective from 1-10-1981. By a clarificatory Government order dated 16-6-1984 it was clarified that family pension would also be paid to those employees who had died prior to 1-10-1981 but it would be paid from 1-10-1981 itself and not prior to that date. THEre is no averment in the writ petition nor the petitioner has been able to demonstrate that her husband was covered by the Triple Benefit Scheme. Obviously this could not be so because an employee was entitled to the benefit under the Triple Benefit Scheme having rendered 20 years continuous service but the husband of the petitioner, admittedly, did not render 20 years continuous service. Further, there is nothing on record to show that the husband of the petitioner had opted for the pension scheme after the cut off date of 1-3-1977. THE ratio laid down in Musammat Sajida Begum's case (supra) would not apply to the present facts. In Musammat Sajida Begum's case (supra) the facts were that her husband was extended the benefit of the Triple Benefit Scheme and after the introduction of the pension scheme he was also extended the said benefit and after his death family pension was also being paid to his widow which was stopped lateron on the premise that her husband had died prior to 1-10-1981. Obviously the widow was entitled to the benefit of the Government Orders dated 8-3-1978 read with 31-3-1982 and the clarificatory Government Order dated 16-6-1984. Thus, the ratio of Musammat Sajida Begum's case would not apply in the present case.