SC directs Punjab govt to pay interest to PWD employee for 42 yrs

New Delhi, Feb 18 (UNI) The Supreme Court has directed Punjab government to pay interest for 42 years to an employee of state's Public Works Department (PWD).

The appellant, Darshan Singh, who retired as head clerk in 1989, will get interest on Rs 60,586.75 @ of 12 per cent per annum from May 25, 1965, till its realisation.

A Bench, comprising Justices A R Lakshmanan and Altamas Kabir, on February 13, directed the Punjab government to pay the entire amount to Darshan Singh within two months failing which the appellant will be entitled for 18 per cent simple interest.

Darshan Singh was appointed as clerk on February 2, 1953. He was promoted as sub-divisional clerk in 1957 and thereafter was appointed accounts clerk in April 1965.

A case of embezzlement and misappropriation of governmental funds was filed against him and he was suspended on May 24, 1965. Singh was subsequently acquitted on August 9, 1973. No departmental action was taken against him and he was reinstated in April, 1978. The appellant filed a suit seeking full pay with allowances from May 25, 1965 to April 28, 1978.

The High Court, however, granted him relief from December 1992, the date of decree.

The apex court while setting aside the order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court noted,'' In the instant case, the respondent state has taken the stand in their counter affidavit before this court totally contrary to the stand taken before the High Court and the courts below. We hold that the appellant is entitled for an amount of Rs 60,586.75 along with an interest @ of 12 per cent per annum from the date the amount became due and payable namely from May 25, 1965.'' The petitioner will get an interest of about 3 lakhs on his dues.

UNI