Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 3: Justice Ali Mohd Magrey today ordered seizure of accounts of the Principal Secretary Agriculture Production Department till the petitioners are paid the terminal benefits in accordance with Golden Handshake/Voluntary Retirement Scheme.
The direction was passed in a petition filed by Mahesh Chander Nagar and others, who had worked in different capacities in J&K Horticulture Produce, Marketing and Processing Corporation (JKHPMC) before availing Golden Handshake/Voluntary Retirement Scheme.
Justice Magrey has directed the Treasury Officer, Civil Secretariat, Srinagar not to entertain any bill of whatever nature from Principal Secretary Agriculture Production till the petitioners are paid the terminal benefits. “In case petitioners are paid the benefits to which they are entitled to, respondent will be at liberty to operate their account”, Justice Magrey further said.
High Court also issued notice to the respondents for filing response. Some of the respondents have already filed their objections and admitted the claim of the petitioners to the extent of according them benefit of Golden Handshake/Voluntary Retirement Scheme. They have also admitted that the benefits, which have accrued to the petitioners in terms of Golden Handshake/Voluntary Retirement Scheme, have not been released in their favour only on the ground of non availability of funds.
They once again submitted that the case for release of terminal benefits in favour of the petitioners has been taken up with the concerned authorities.
After hearing Senior Advocate VR Wazir with Advocate Abishek Wazir for the petitioners, Justice Magrey observed, “despite opportunities, some respondents have failed to file reply, so much so, no body appears on their behalf. Respondents, who are at the helm of affairs are expected to ensure release of terminal benefits in favour of the petitioners as per their own policy governing the field”.
“Admittedly, prima-facie respondents have failed to adhere to their own policy notified in terms of Government Order no. 218-F of 2007 dated 16.07.2007 based on Cabinet Decision No. 119/10 dated 11.06.2007. This Court shall have No option but to ensure payment of terminal benefits in favour of the petitioners in order to mitigate their miseries”, Justice Magrey said.
High Court directed Registry to convey full text of the order to the respondent as also to the Chief Secretary for compliance.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel