Srinagar: The J&K High Court Monday called for personal appearance of Accountant General (AG) of J&K in a contempt case arising out of nonpayment of family pension to the next of the kin of an employee having served the government.
Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey, who heard the petitioner Shama Agha through her counsel granted 10 days’ time to the respondent to file compliance ensuring payment of family pension to the aggrieved.
In case of failure, the A G has been ordered to appear in person on 31st of this December.
“Ordinarily, authorities at the helm of the affairs, are not expected to delay the payment of family pension to the next kin of those who have served the government for considerable time,” the court observed.
In terms of an order passed on 6th of October 2020, the High Court while noticing the pendency of the contempt petition (qua implementation of judgment seeking release of family pension), had directed the AG to finalize the family pension case of the petitioner Shama on the strength of the judgment.
The officer filed statement of facts mentioning therein that the case of the petitioner for payment of family pension has been taken up with the Senior Accounts Officer (AIS), Central Pension Accounting Office (Government of India), New Delhi.
The court directed a copy of the judgment out of which the instant contempt petition has arisen be sent to Secretary to Ministry of Finance, Government of India along with copies of orders passed till date.
The step has been taken to apprise the Secretary Finance for examining the (apathetic) approach adopted in the matters pertaining to the family pension of the employees.
“Need to send the copy of judgment and orders has arisen to update the Secretary to Ministry of Finance, Government of India, for taking an overall view in these matters,” Justice Magray said.
