RANCHI, India, Sept. 12 -- Jharkhand High Court issued the following order on Aug. 12:

1. The instant writ application has been preferred by the petitioner praying therein for the following reliefs:

(a) To issue an appropriate writ/writs, direction/directions to the Respondents to pay the arrears of salary due to the petitioner for the period from 21.2.1998 to 3.10.1999, calculating it on the basis of revised pay scale of 1st time bound promotion.

(b) To issue an appropriate writ/writ, direction/directions to Respondents to pay the balance amount of pay due to 1st time bound promotion for the month of March, 2003.

(c) To issue a direction to Respondents to pay the interest by calculating it from the date of order of Hon'ble Court till its actual payment at the rate of 12% on arrears of salary due to the petitioner for the period from 21.2.1998 to 3.10.1999 with suitable penalty in the facts and circumstances of the case.

2. The grievance of the petitioner is that the petitioner was not paid the salary for the period from 21.02.1998 to 03.10.1999.

3. At the outset, learned counsel submits that in the year 2023, the petitioner has received the arrears of salary and now, his grievance is only limited to the interest for the delay in payment of the admitted dues; as such, the instant application may be disposed of giving liberty to the petitioner to approach the concerned respondent to verify and pay the interest on the delayed payment of admitted dues.

4. Learned counsel for the respondents does not have any serious objection.

5. Having regard to the aforesaid facts and circumstances of the case, as per the claim of the petitioner the due salary/admitted dues for the period from 21.02.1998 till 03.10.1999 has been paid to him in the year 2023. This is certainly a huge delay; as such, it is necessary that the concerned respondent should verify the record and see as to who is responsible for paying the admitted amount with inordinate delay.

6. Accordingly, the instant writ application is hereby disposed of by giving liberty to the petitioner to approach the respondent No.2 within a period of four weeks by filing a fresh representation and if any such representation is preferred before the respondent No.2 he shall verify the records of the case with the help of the other respondents and come to the conclusion as to whether the petitioner would be entitled for interest for the delayed payment of salary. Admittedly, the salary for the period from February 1998 to October 1999 has been paid to the petitioner in the year 2023, as claimed by him. As such, the concerned respondent shall pass a reasoned and speaking order with regard to interest claimed by the petitioner.

7. With the aforesaid observation and direction, the instant writ application stands disposed of. Pending I.A., if any, also stands closed.

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