SC censures Punjab govt for not giving retirement benefits

New Delhi, May 18 (UNI) The Supreme Court has censured the Punjab government for taking the judicial process for a ride while dismissing its appeal against a Punjab and Haryana High Court order dated February 2, 2004 directing it to pay the retirement benefits to respondent H B Malhotra.

Mr Malhotra had taken voluntary retirement from service on health grounds during the pendency of some disciplinary proceedings which were subsequently dropped.

He filed a writ petition in the High Court seeking directions to the state governmemt to pay his benefits.

The High Court, in its order dated July 24, 2003, adjourned the matter after having been assured by the Director, Public Relations, Punjab, that he would look into the matter and pass an appropriate order expeditiously keeping in mind the poor health of the petitioner.

The state government accepted the respondent's offer for voluntary retirement in the order dated September 18, 2003 and it was to be effective from June 5, 1969.

The Apex Court took exception to the casual attitude of the state government when the state' counsel failed to inform the court whether the gratuity and provident fund had been made to a respondent as per the Supreme Court order in August 2005.

The Court, dismissing the appeal of state government, directed it to pay Rs 10,000 as cost of litigation to the respondent who was not able to attend the court proceedings due to his advanced years.

"We do not appreciate the manner in which the state took the judicial process for a ride," the Court observed.

The judgement was delivered by a bench comprising Mr Justice S B Sinha and Mr Justice V P Naolekar.

UNI AKS-SC LS DS1635