Indu Devi, W/o Late Suresh Mohan Thakur vs The State of Bihar

Heard learned counsel for the petitioner; State and Accountant General.

The petitioner has moved the Court seeking a direction for payment of family pension to her.

The petitioner herself claims to be the second wife of Suresh Mohan Thakur, who was a Government employee and superannuated in the year 1992 and also received his post retiral benefits. During his life time, the first wife died on 02.03.2012 and thus, the husband filed a petition before the authorities for substituting the name of his first wife with that of the petitioner.

However, the authorities did not act on the same and in the meanwhile, on 11.08.2015, the employee also died.

Learned counsel for the petitioner submitted that she is the second wife and now when the first wife is dead, family pension should be given to her.

Learned counsel for the State submitted that in terms of the circular of the Finance Department of the State Government bearing No. P.C.-1-Misc.-41/92/10059/Vi., dated 06.09.1996, it is only the first wife who is entitled to family pension and thereafter the dependant minor children of both the wives can have a right on family pension but the second wife has been excluded from getting family pension.

Having considered the matter, the Court is unable to intervene for the reason that the policy of the Sate Government does not permit payment of family pension to the second wife. In the present case, admittedly, the petitioner herself claims to be the second wife and just because the first wife has died, her status will not change and she will not become the first wife, though she may be the only wife/widow now living.

In view of the aforesaid provision, no relief can be granted to the petitioner and accordingly, the writ petition stands dismissed.