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Synopsis

The Allahabad High Court recently ordered payment of Rs 50,000 to a senior citizen for delayed payment of his General Provident Fund (GPF) amount.

The bench of Justice Dinesh Kumar Singh, who has now been transferred to Kerala High Court, stated in the order dated July 13, that it was shocking that for a meager amount of Rs.5,900, the petitioner had to wait for 28 long years and another 9 years for remaining payment. 

"This Court is shocked with the treatment meted out the petitioner by the department. It has shaken the conscience of the Court to find out that even for a meager amount of Rs.5,900/-, the petitioner has to wait for 28 long years and the remaining amount has been paid to him in the year 2021 i.e. after 38 years and that too without any interest on the delayed payment of GPF," said the court. 

Court held the neglect of the respondent authorities a "gross injustice" to the petitioner and therefore, ordered for compensation as lump-sum interest on the delayed payment of his due GPF amount. 

Naresh Singh, the petitioner, was compulsorily retired in the year 1983. After his retirement, he started seeking payment of his due GPF amount of Rs 7,340. 

After a wait of around 28 years, on March 16, 2012, out of the total due amount, he was paid Rs 5,900. Still, Rs 1440 remained pending. 

Thereafter, in the year 2018, he moved the high court seeking relief. Meanwhile the proceedings were pending before the high court, on August 21, 2021, he was paid the remaining amount. However, the same was paid without any interest on the delayed payment.

Therefore, the high court kept the matter open for further consideration. 

Finally, last week, the petitioner received justice in form of compensation for the suffering caused to him.

The high court directed the Revenue Department of UP to pay the compensation amount to the petitioner within four weeks from the date of the order. 

Case Title: Naresh Singh Senior Citizen v. State of UP