Patna High Court
Ram Pukar RaiversusThe State of Bihar, through the Additional Chief Secretary,
- Decided
- Disposal
- DISPOSED
- Bench
- AJIT KUMAR
Holding
The Court held that, since a representation on the interest claim is pending before the District Provident Fund Officer, that officer must examine the claim and, if the petitioner is entitled, pay the interest within eight weeks.
Summary
Ram Pukar Rai filed a writ petition seeking payment of up-to‑date interest on a General Provident Fund (GPF) amount that was delayed for about 17 years, and specifically asked for 18% compound interest. The petitioner contended that while his pension and related benefits had been settled, the interest on the delayed GPF payment from 1 July 2008 to 22 October 2024 remained unpaid despite a representation filed with the District Provident Fund Officer, Purnea. The State argued that the petitioner could pursue his interest claim through the pending representation. The Court observed that all substantive grievances had already been adjudicated and that the interest claim was still pending before the competent authority. Accordingly, the Court directed the District Provident Fund Officer to examine the claim against office records and, if the petitioner is found entitled, to pay the admissible interest within eight weeks of receiving the order. The writ application was therefore disposed of with the above directions.
Issues considered
- Whether the petitioner is entitled to interest on the delayed GPF payment.
- Whether the Court can direct the competent authority to determine and pay the interest pending a representation.
Subjects
- General Provident Fund
- interest on delayed payment
- civil writ jurisdiction
- pension benefits
- administrative direction
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.5669 of 2026
======================================================
Ram Pukar Rai Son of late Daroga Rai, Resident of Village - Chhota Jhoua,
P.O. - Jhoua, P.S. - Awatar Nagar, District- Saran.
... ... Petitioner/s
Versus
1. The State of Bihar, through the Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture
Department, Govt. of Bihar, Patna.
2. The Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Department, Govt. of Bihar,
Patna.
3. The District Magistrate, Purnea.
4. The District Agriculture Officer, Purnea (Khuski Bagh)- cum - Incharge
Joint Director (Shusya) Paat, Bihar, Purnea.
5. The District Provident Fund Officer, Purnea.
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Petitioner/s : Mr. Shailendra Kumar, Advocate
For the Respondent/s : Mr. Vivek Pd, Government Pleader (07)
Ms. Roona, AC to GP-07
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE AJIT KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
2 23-04-2026 Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and
learned counsel for the respondents.
2. The instant writ application has been filed for the
following reliefs:-
(i) For directing the respondents to make payment
of up to date interest of GPF amount till the date of
payment which was paid 17 years (about) delay.
(ii) For directing the respondent authorities to pay
18% compound interest on delay payment of GPF
amount.
(iii) For any other relief which this Court may
deem fit and proper in the facts and circumstances
of this case.
Patna High Court CWJC No.5669 of 2026(2) dt.23-04-2026
2/3
3. Learned counsel for the petitioner fairly submits
that the entire grievance of the petitioner in relation to pension
and pensionary benefits has already been redressed. However,
so far as the claim for interest is concerned, for the period from
01.07.2008 to 22.10.2024, the same has not been paid. It is
further submitted that the petitioner has already filed a
representation before the District Provident Fund Officer,
Purnea, in this regard.
4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the State
submits that the petitioner may be granted liberty to ventilate his
grievance with respect to the claim of interest in the pending
representation.
5. Considering the submissions advanced on behalf of
the parties, this Court finds that all substantive grievances of the
petitioner have already been adjudicated. Insofar as the claim
for interest is concerned, since a representation is already
pending before the competent authority, the District Provident
Fund Officer, Purnea, is directed to examine the petitioner’s
claim with reference to the office records. Upon such
examination, if the petitioner is found entitled to any interest,
appropriate decision shall be taken and the admissible amount
shall be paid to the petitioner within a period of eight weeks
Patna High Court CWJC No.5669 of 2026(2) dt.23-04-2026
3/3
from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this order.
6. With the aforesaid observations and directions, the
instant writ applications stands disposed of.
(Ajit Kumar, J)
shikha/-
U
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