Cuttack: A retired government officer from Kalahandi district has finally received his long-overdue pension benefits, thanks to persistent and firm interventions by the Orissa High Court. The court, at one point, ordered the withholding of salaries of two senior officials and mandated the personal appearance of the district collector to resolve the matter.
Surendra Kumar Choubey, who served as district panchayat officer in Kalahandi, retired in November 2012 but was deprived of his regular pension and other retirement dues for over a decade. He approached the High Court in October 2025 seeking justice for the prolonged delay.
Justice Biraja Prasanna Satapathy, who heard the petition, repeatedly demanded explanations from the state government. In February, the court considered Choubey’s affidavit confirming no disciplinary or other proceedings were pending against him, and questioned the authorities on why his benefits had remained unpaid for such an extended period.
When officials cited the non-regularisation of his service book in April, the judge expressed strong dissatisfaction, noting that such administrative lapses could not justify withholding pension for nearly 14 years. He warned that the Kalahandi collector would have to appear personally if the dues were not released promptly.
On May 21, the court intensified its stance after learning that vigilance clearance was still awaited.
Highlighting the inordinate delay since retirement, Justice Satapathy directed the withholding of salaries of the director of the Panchayati Raj department and the Kalahandi collector until the petitioner received his lawful benefits. The court also instructed the SP to ensure the collector’s presence at the next hearing.
The pressure yielded results. On June 17, the state informed the court that Choubey’s pension had been sanctioned with effect from December 1, 2012. The bench subsequently recalled its order freezing the officials’ salaries but sought clarification on whether all arrears and current dues had been fully disbursed. The matter is listed for further hearing in July to verify complete payment of admissible arrears.
The High Court has in recent times emphasised that pension constitutes a constitutional guarantee under Article 300A, protected as property rights, and has frequently directed interest payments for unjustified delays in similar matters.
