STATE Vs. RATAN KANWAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS special appeal is directed against the order passed by learned Single Judge in writ petition No. 399 of 1990, filed by Smt. Ratan Kanwar Mehta, dated 12.2.1990. The petitioner's husband was in the services of erstwhile Marwar State, before the formation of State of Rajasthan and then became an employee of the State of Rajasthan. He was a member of Jodhpur Contributory Provident Fund. The husband of the appellant -petitioner died while in service on 3.8.1961, before exercising option for pension under the Rajasthan Service Rules.

(2.) AFTER the decision of a Division Bench of this Court in State of Rajasthan v. Retired Contributory Provident Fund Holders Association, Jodhpur 1987(1) W.L.N. 476, the Government of Rajasthan issued a memorandum giving option to all members of Jodhpur Contributory Provident Fund who had retired from service, without exercising option, to opt for pension, on 17.10.1 987. However, under the said memorandum, option, was not extended to widows of such members. Later on, a Division Bench of this Court in Rajasthan Pensioners Samaj v. State of Rajasthan R.L.W 1989(1) 347 has taken the view that widows of holders of erstwhile Provident Fund are also entitled to the benefit under the aforesaid memorandum, forfamily pension. In the light of said judgment, the Court later on has also decided Laxmi Bai's case, referred in the order under appeal.

(3.) IN view of aforesaid, this cannot now be disputed that the petitioner is not entitled to the benefit of option for securing family pension under the rules in terms of Laxmi Bai's case relied on by learned Single Judge. The question that arises is whether the petitioner -appellant is entitled to ex -gratia payment as per above directions, being an alive widow of Jodhpur C.P.F. holder, To that extent, the order of learned Single Judge cannot be sustained.