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Bombay High Court

KAILAS SHANTARAM BIRARI AND OTHERSversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND OTHERS

Disposal
DISPOSED OFF

Holding

An employee who retires on or after 30 June and has rendered at least six months of service in the preceding year is deemed to have earned the annual increment under Rule 10 of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2009, and therefore his/her pensionary benefits must be recalculated to include that increment, without liability for interest on delayed claims.

Summary

The petitioners, a group of retired government employees, sought directions that their retirement benefits be recalculated to include the annual increment under Rule 10 of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2009, arguing that they had served at least six months in the relevant year before superannuation. The Court noted that under the 6th Pay Commission the accounting year for increments runs from 1 July to 30 June, and that earlier judgments, including Balaji Manikrao Biradar v. State of Maharashtra (2022) and Director (ADMN. & HR) KPTCL v. V.C.P. Mundinamani (AIR 2023 SC 1956), held that an employee retiring on 30 June is deemed to have earned the increment. Applying this precedent, the Court held that all petitioners who had served six months or more in the last year were entitled to the notional increment and that their pensionary benefits must be recomputed accordingly, with arrears payable within 90 days but without interest for belated filings. The writ petitions were therefore partly allowed.

Issues considered

  • Whether a government employee who retires on or after 30 June is entitled to the annual increment under Rule 10 of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2009 if he/she has served at least six months in the preceding year.
  • Whether retirement benefits should be recalculated to include such earned increment.
  • Whether interest is payable on arrears when the claim is filed belatedly.

Legislation cited

Subjects

  • annual increment
  • retirement benefits
  • pension
  • Maharashtra Civil Services Rules
  • 6th Pay Commission
  • superannuation
  • interest on arrears

Judgment

2026:BHC-AUG:45620-DB


                                              {1}                     51-wp-12638-2026

                        IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE OF BOMBAY
                                   BENCH AT AURANGABAD

                              51 WRIT PETITION NO. 12638 OF 2026

                                 Virsing Barku Gaikwad And Others
                                              VERSUS
                                The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                                 ...
              Mr. S.K. Mathpati, Advocate for the Petitioners
              Mrs. Saie Joshi, AGP for the State

                               WRIT PETITION NO. 13134 OF 2026

                              Balasaheb Sopanrao Niras And Others
                                            VERSUS
                              The State Of Maharashtra And Others

              Mr. S.K. Mathpati, Advocate for the Petitioners
              Mr. M.K. Goyanka, AGP for the State
              Mr. A.R. Nikam, Advocate for Respondent No. 5

                               WRIT PETITION NO. 13135 OF 2026

                               Dadahari Marutirao Dhas And Others
                                             VERSUS
                               The State Of Maharashtra And Others

              Mr. M.S. Karad, Advocate for the Petitioners
              Ms. Neha Kamble,AGP for State

                               WRIT PETITION NO. 13136 OF 2026

                             Pandurang Wamanrao Pawar And Others
                                            VERSUS
                              The State Of Maharashtra And Others

              Mr. P.N. Pimpalgaonkar, Advocate for the Petitioners
              Mr. V. M. Kagne,AGP for State

                               WRIT PETITION NO. 13137 OF 2026

                              Bhagwanta Shankar Umap And Others
                                {2}                     51-wp-12638-2026

                               VERSUS
                 The State Of Maharashtra And Others

Mr. V.P. Narwade, Advocate for the Petitioners
Mr. B. B.Bhise,AGP for State

                 WRIT PETITION NO. 13138 OF 2026

             Chandrakant Keshavrao Damekar And Others
                              VERSUS
                The State Of Maharashtra And Others

Mr. S.K. Mathpati, Advocate for the Petitioners
Mr. N. D. Batule,AGP for State

                  WRIT PETITION NO. 13139 OF 2026

                         Manish Ramaji Ganvir
                                VERSUS
                  The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                  ...
Mr. R.D. Khadap, Advocate for the Petitioner
Mrs. Saie Joshi, AGP for State
Mr. N.D. Sonavane, Advocate for Respondent No. 6
Mr. S.R. Dheple, Advocate for Respondent No. 7

                 WRIT PETITION NO. 13140 OF 2026

                        Devidas Dhanaji Jarare
                                VERSUS
                 The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                   ...
Mr. Prasad Jarare, Advocate for the Petitioner
Mr S.K. Tambe, AGP for State

                 WRIT PETITION NO. 13141 OF 2026

                   Suresh Gopalrao Shete And Others
                                VERSUS
                  The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                  ...
Mr. Umesh Gite, Advocate for the Petitioner
Mr. A.B. Girase, Government Pleader for the State
                               {3}                     51-wp-12638-2026


                WRIT PETITION NO. 13142 OF 2026

                  Uttamrao Rakhmaji Kale And Others
                                VERSUS
                 The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                   ...
Mr. R.V. Gore, Advocate for the Petitioners
Mr. M.K. Goyanka, AGP for the State

                WRIT PETITION NO. 13143 OF 2026

                       Sitaram Biraji Ramandwal
                                VERSUS
                 The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                   ...
Mr. Prasad Jarare , Advocate for the Petitioner
Ms. Neha Kamble AGP for the State

                WRIT PETITION NO. 13144 OF 2026

                Rajabhau Bansi Nagargoje And Others
                               VERSUS
                 The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                  ...
Mr. Vaibhav Pawar, Advocate for the Petitioners
Mr. V.M. Kagne, AGP for State

                WRIT PETITION NO. 13146 OF 2026

                Kamlakar Venkatrao Kulkarni And Others
                                VERSUS
                  The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                  ...
Mr. Abhijit G. Choudhari, Advocate for the Petitioners
Mr. B.B. Bhise, AGP for State

                 WRIT PETITION NO. 13148 OF 2026

              Umakant Ishwarappa Khajure And Others
                             VERSUS
               The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                               ...
                                 {4}                     51-wp-12638-2026

Mr. Abhijit G. Choudhari, Advocate for the Petitioners
Mr. N.D. Batule, AGP for State

                  WRIT PETITION NO. 13149 OF 2026

                   Salim Mahetab Shaikh And Others
                                VERSUS
                  The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                   ...
Mr. Estling S. Murge, Advocate for the Petitioners
Mrs. Saie Joshi, AGP for the State

                  WRIT PETITION NO. 13150 OF 2026

                   Limbaji Barikrao Ikhe And Others
                                VERSUS
                 The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                   ...
Mr. Abhijit Choudhari, Advocate for the Petitioners
Mr. S.K. Tambe, AGP for State

                  WRIT PETITION NO. 13151 OF 2026

               Sonopant Shankarrao Kulkarni And Others
                                VERSUS
                  The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                   ...
Mr. Abhijit Choudhari, Advocate for the Petitioners
Mr. A.B. Girase, Government Pleader for State

                  WRIT PETITION NO. 13152 OF 2026

                     Hanumant Ananda Sakale
                              VERSUS
                The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                ...
Mr. Umesh Gite Babanrao, Advocate for the Petitioner
Mr. M.K. Goyanka, AGP for State

                  WRIT PETITION NO. 13153 OF 2026

                  Deelip Kishanrao Kanse And Others
                               VERSUS
                               {5}                      51-wp-12638-2026

                 The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                   ...
Mr. Abhijit Choudhari, Advocate for the Petitioner
Ms. Neha Kamble, AGP for State

                 WRIT PETITION NO. 13154 OF 2026

                Bhaurao Rambhau Bachhav And Others
                                VERSUS
        The State Of Maharashtra Thr Its Secretary And Others
                                   ...
Mr. S.K. Mathpati, Advocate for the Petitioners
Mr. V.M. Kagne, AGP for State
Mr. Prashant Nangare, Advocate for Respondents No. 3 to 5

                 WRIT PETITION NO. 13155 OF 2026

                  Bhagwan Limbaji Munde And Others
                                VERSUS
            The State Of Maharashtra Secretary And Others
                                   ...
Mr. Prasad Jarare, Advocate for the Petitioners
Mr. B.B. Bhise, AGP for State

                 WRIT PETITION NO. 13156 OF 2026

                        Kailas Shantaram Birari
                                VERSUS
                 The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                   ...
Mr. Estling Murge, Advocate for the Petitioner
Mr. N.D. Batule, AGP for State

                 WRIT PETITION NO. 13157 OF 2026

                  Nanarao Baburao Ujnikar And Others
                                VERSUS
                  The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                  ...
Mr. Avinash Khedkar, Advocate for the Petitioners
Mrs. Saie Joshi, AGP for State
                               {6}                      51-wp-12638-2026

                 WRIT PETITION NO. 13158 OF 2026

                 Navnath Sahebrao Latpate And Others
                                VERSUS
                 The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                   ...
Mr. Estling S.Murge , Advocate for the Petitioners
Mr. S.K. Tambe, AGP for State

                 WRIT PETITION NO. 13159 OF 2026

                         Bhagwan Maruti Daund
                                VERSUS
                  The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                   ...
Mr. R.V. Gore, Advocate for the Petitioner
Mr. A.B. Girase, Government Pleader for State

                 WRIT PETITION NO. 13160 OF 2026

                Uttam Narayan Suryawanshi And Others
                                VERSUS
                 The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                   ...
Mr. R.V. Gore, Advocate for the Petitioners
Mr. M.K. Goyanka, AGP for State

                 WRIT PETITION NO. 13161 OF 2026

                Shrirang Ramkrishna Randhe And Others
                                VERSUS
                  The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                    ...
Mr. Shivaji T. Shelke, Advocate for the Petitioners
Ms. Neha Kamble, AGP for the State

                 WRIT PETITION NO. 13162 OF 2026

Sadashiv Kisan Bharti Died Through Legal Heirs Savita Sadashiv Bharti
                                VERSUS
                  The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                   ...
Mr. Vishal Bagal, Advocate for the Petitioner
                                 {7}                   51-wp-12638-2026

Mr. V.M. Kagne, AGP for the State

                  WRIT PETITION NO. 13163 OF 2026

                  Rohidas Lahana Bansode And Others
                               VERSUS
                 The State Of Maharashtra And Others
                                   ...
Mr. Vaibhav Pawar, Advocate for the Petitioners
Mr. B.B. Bhise, AGP for State
                                 .......

                       CORAM : NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI AND
                                 ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, JJ.


                          DATE : 28th SEPTEMBER, 2026
PER COURT :

1.   By these petitions, the petitioners seek directions to the

respondents to grant them notional / annual increment which was due

on 01st July i.e. after their retirement, as they have served with good

conduct for more than six months in a year. Further direction is sought

to recalculate their retirement benefits by including annual increment

and all the consequential service benefits.


2.   Learned advocates for petitioners submit that the petitioners are

in fact seeking the benefit of Rule 10 of the Maharashtra Civil Services

(Revised Pay) Rules, 2009.


3.   The issue raised by these petitioners is no longer res integra.

Under the 6th Pay Commission, the year for accounting the annual
                                  {8}                  51-wp-12638-2026

increments is from 1st July up to the 30th day of June of the next year.

The issue as to whether a candidate would be entitled for such

increment if he/she superannuates on 30 th June, was dealt with by

several Courts.


4.    The judgment dated 4th May, 2022 delivered by this Court in Writ

Petition No. 14632 of 2021 [Balaji Manikrao Biradar vs. State of

Maharashtra & Others], led to the conclusion that since this increment

is not an advance increment, but is an increment which is payable

after completing one year of employment, notwithstanding that a

candidate superannuates after office hours on 30 th June, he is deemed

to have earned the annual increment and, therefore, the increment is

payable.


5.    Several orders/judgments delivered by this Court were assailed

before the Hon'ble Supreme Court and the same have been sustained.

A large bunch of cases were taken up for adjudication by the Hon'ble

Supreme Court in Director (ADMN. and HR) KPTCL vs. V. C. P.

Mundinamani, reported in AIR 2023 SC 1956 and it was concluded that

the said increment is earned by an employee for working over one year

and hence, the employee is entitled to an increment even if he/she

retires on 30th June of a particular year.
                                      {9}                         51-wp-12638-2026

6.     Insofar as cases wherein an employee may have worked for a

lessor duration during one year, Rule 10 of the Maharashtra Civil

Services (Revised Pay), Rules, 2009 would cover cases of employees

who have worked for six months and above in the revised pay

structure as on 1st July, and would also be entitled for the increment.

All those petitioners who have worked for six months and above in a

particular year, would be entitled for the benefits of the annual

increment and their retirement dues would be calculated by reckoning

such increment while calculating their last drawn wages.


7.            In view of the above, the Writ Petitions are partly allowed

with following directions:-

     (a)    The     petitioners      would      be     entitled    for   monetary

           benefits/difference of pensionary benefits as per the actuals

           w.e.f. from their respective dates of superannuation, provided

           they have worked for 6 months or more in the last year up to

           their superannuation.


     (b) The      pensionary      benefits    of     the   petitioners   would    be

           recalculated by including the annual increment in their last

           drawn    salary   prior    to     their   superannuation      and     such

           recalculated pensionary benefits shall be payable to them.
                                     {10}                  51-wp-12638-2026

      (c) Arrears if any, shall be paid to them within a period of 90

              days. Many of the petitioners have approached belatedly

              before this Court and, therefore, akin to the orders passed in

              several matters, they would be not entitled for the interest

              component.



(ABASAHEB D. SHINDE, J.)                    (NITIN B. SURYAWANSHI, J.)




Bhagyawant Punde


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