Taking a strict stand over the non-payment of retirement benefits to former government employees, the High Court of Tripura has directed the state government to clear the outstanding dues of 152 retired employees without delay. Following the court’s intervention, the state government has allocated Rs 142.50 crore for payment of arrears.
The matter came up before the Division Bench of the High Court on Wednesday during the hearing of two writ appeals. The Advocate General informed the court that the state government had already allocated Rs 142.50 crore for clearing the dues payable to retired employees and that payments had been made to several beneficiaries. However, 152 retired employees have so far been compelled to approach the High Court through writ petitions seeking payment of their outstanding retirement benefits.
The issue relates to an earlier order of the High Court directing the state government to pay 50 per cent of the September 2026 salary to employees belonging to the first, second, third and fourth grades, while taking necessary steps for payment of the remaining 50 per cent. In another order dated September 29, the Division Bench observed that the state government had not taken necessary steps to recover the dues.
The High Court subsequently made it clear that the government and the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) could not avoid their financial responsibilities and directed the authorities to take necessary action for payment of all legitimate dues of the retired employees.
During Wednesday’s hearing, the court directed that the pending pension and retirement benefits of 152 retired employees be cleared immediately, so that they can receive their dues before the Sharad festival. The court also directed the authorities to take necessary steps to ensure payment of the outstanding benefits of another 280 retired employees.
The court observed that several retired employees had been pursuing their cases for more than two years for payment of their legitimate retirement dues. As the benefits had not been released, the High Court’s strict intervention compelled the state government and TSECL to expedite the process.
The court further directed that all writ petitions filed by retired employees over their outstanding dues would be taken up for hearing again in the third week of November.
The hearing was conducted before the Division Bench headed by the Chief Justice following an application submitted by senior advocate Purushottam Roy Barman on behalf of the petitioners. The retired employees were represented by senior advocates Purushottam Roy Barman, Samarjit Bhattacharjee and Kaushik Nath.
In its latest order, the High Court also clarified that there would be no further restriction on payment of salaries to TTAADC employees. Consequently, all officers and employees of ADC will receive their full salaries for September and October.
However, the High Court’s earlier restriction regarding 13 employees appointed irregularly will remain in force in accordance with its previous order.