FERJINA PARBIN JALIL Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. I. H. Saikia, learned counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. D. Borah, learned Government Advocate for the respondent No. 1 and Mr. S. K. Medhi, learned Standing Counsel, AG for the respondent No. 2.

(2.) By filing this writ petition, the petitioner has prayed for a direction to the respondent authorities to provide family pension in favour of the petitioner, in terms of the amended Rule 143 of the Assam Services (Pension) Rules, 1969, as amended in 2018.

(3.) The petitioner claims to be an unmarried dependent daughter of late Jalil Uddin Ahmed, who had retired from service as Forest Ranger in the Sivasagar Forest Division on 30/9/2011 and died on 5/2/2015. The petitioner's mother predeceased her father on 7/4/2005. The family pension was provided to the petitioner under the then-existing Rule 143 of the Assam Services (Pension) Rules, 1969, which provided entitlement of family pension to an "unmarried minor daughter," and the petitioner received such pension until 14/9/2016.