SURINDER PAL KAUR Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner has filed the instant writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, seeking a writ of mandamus, directing the respondents to grant pension w.e.f. 1/6/2022 to 15/7/2022 and family pension w.e.f. 16/7/2022 till date along with arrears and interest @ 12% per annum.

(2.) Brief facts of the case, as have been pleaded in the petition, are that the husband of the petitioner, namely Sh. Gurdeep Singh joined the service on 21/11/1974 with the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat, Punjab and after serving the respondent-Department for more than 36 years, he superannuated as Panchayat Secretary on 31/8/2011. Thereafter, he was receiving pension. Unfortunately, he died on 15/7/2022 and the petitioner, being his widow, was entitled for family pension. However, despite submitting the relevant documents and preferring multiple representations to the respondents, she has not been given family pension. Hence, the instant petition.

(3.) Short reply by way of an affidavit of Ms. Parneet Kaur, Assistant Director, Department of Rural Development and Panchayats, Punjab, on behalf of respondents No.1 & 2, has been filed, wherein it has been stated as under :-