RADHA JHA Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) AS prayed learned counsel for the petitioner is permitted to add Agriculture Production Commissioner as Respondent no. 1 with the nomenclature The State of Bihar, through Agriculture Production Commissioner, Government of Bihar, Patna.

(2.) IN this writ petition, petitioner who is widow of the deceased Government servant, late Uma Kant Jha, has sought for direction to the Respondent -authorities for payment of gratuity payable after the death of her husband in harness on 3.3.1998 with statutory interest at market rate.

(3.) A counter affidavit was filed on behalf of the Respondents, in which it is stated that the petitioner has been sanctioned full pension and gratuity vide order no. 429 dated 12.2.2002 (Annexure -A). Further, it is vaguely stated that reason for delay in issuance of the order was that it was reported that there were outstanding dues against the husband of the petitioner, who had taken advance which was outstanding. It is further stated that he was incharge of the P.l.Godown of his office and as he had died in harness, an inventory of the same was prepared, whereafter, the sanction order was issued.