PREETAM PRASAD Vs. STATE OF U P

JUDGEMENT

(1.) TARUN Agarwala, J. Heard Sri Digvijay Tiwari learned Counsel for the petitioner, Sri K. K. Chandra learned Standing Counsel appearing for respon dent No. 1 and Sri R. K. Srivastava learned Counsel appearing for respondents No. 2, 3, 4 and 5.

(2.) THE petitioner was appointed as a Sewak w. e. f. 15-11-1974 on a temporary basis in a fixed pay in Junior High School Dhadha, Vikas Kshetra Hata, district Deoria and since then, had been continuously working without any break in ser vice. By an order dated 19-9-1997, the District Basic Shiksha Adhikari directed the payment of regular pay to the petitioner (as is clear from the endorsement made in the service book of the petitioner ). THE petitioner retired on 21-3-2006 upon attaining the age of superannuation after serving for more than 31 years. THE petitioner applied for the post retirement benefits, i. e. pension, gratuity, etc. and since his grievance was not being attended to, the petitioner filed writ petition No. 8915 of 2007, which was disposed of by a direction of this Court dated 20-2-2007, directing the District Basic Shiksha Adhikari, Deoria to consider and decide the claim of the petitioner in accordance with law within three months. Based on the 'aforesaid direction, the District Basic Shiksha Adhikari, by an order dated 25-5-2007, rejected the claim of the petitioner holding that he was not entitled for pension since he had not put in ten years of regular service, which was the minimum qualifying service as per the Government Order dated 1 st July, 1989.

(3.) THE petitioner was appointed as a peon in an educational institution. THE Uttar Pradesh Contributory Provident Fund, Insurance, Pension Rules is appli cable to the petitioner. Chapter V of the said Rules provides provision for pension. Rule 17 provides that an employee shall be eligible for pension on reaching the age of superannuation and in the case of voluntary retirement, after completion of 25 years of qualifying service. Rule 19 provides as to when pension would be payable. To facilitate, the provision of Rule 19 is quoted herein: "rule 19. (a) Service will not count for pension unless the employee holds a substantive post on a permanent establishment. (b) Continuous temporary or officiating service followed without interrup tion by confirmation in the same or another post shall also count as qualify ing service. (c) Leave without allowance, suspension allowed to stand as a specific penalty, over stayed of joining time or leave not subsequently regularized and period of breaks in service shall not be reckoned as qualifying service. (d) Period of breaks between 2 periods of service due to termination of service, for no fault of the employee shall not be treated as interruption involv ing forfeiture of post qualifying service. In other cases breaks due to other causes shall result in forfeiture of past service unless condoned by Govern ment. (e) Time passed on earned leave shall fully count as qualifying service, but time passed on other kinds leave with allowances shall count as qualify ing service as follows: (1) If the total service is not less than 13 years, but less than 30 years, one year of such leave shall count as qualifying service; (ii) If the total service is not less than 30 years, two years of such leave shall count as qualifying service. Notes.- (1) THE term 'earned Leave' means leave on full average pay. (2) In case of a married woman employee time passed on maternity leave may be allowed to count as qualifying service, provided that the period covered by such leave and also earned leave shall not exceed what would have been admissible had she availed of the whole of the earned leave to which she was entitled under the rules. (3) Total Service' means total service reckoning from the date of com mencement of service qualifying for pension and includes periods of leave referred to above. (4) THE service put in by an employee before he has completed 18 years of age or after attaining the age of superannuation unless extended by com petent authority or on re-employment after retirement shall not qualify for pension. (5) THE entry relating to confirmation of an employee in the service book shall be countersigned. (6) In cases not covered by these rules qualifying service shall be deter mined by Government and its decision shall be final. "