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Patna High Court · body

2022 DIGILAW 723 (PAT)

Bijendra Prasad v. State of Bihar

2022-08-18

P.B.BAJANTHRI, RAJIV ROY

body2022
RAJIV ROY, J.:–The appellant-petitioner has preferred this appeal against the order and judgment dated 20.01.2020 passed by Hon’ble Single Judge in CWJC No. 21995 of 2019 by which the Court disposed of the writ application holding that considering the fact that the Government is still in the process of framing the policy in terms of resolution dated 03.02.2016, there is no occasion for the Court to issue any direction. 2. The matrix of facts giving rise to the present appeal is/are follows:— (i) the wife of the appellant-petitioner, namely Shobha Kumari was appointed as ‘ASHA (ACCREDITED SOCIAL HEALTH ACTIVIST) worker in Sambhupura Anganbari Kendra of Nawahi Panchayat, Naubatpur, Patna vide Memo No. 16 dated 30.12.2005 issued by the Mukhiya of the said Gram Panchayat; (ii) she also went through training under INDO-UNO Disaster Risk Management Programme in the year 2010. (iii) Hon’ble the Chief Minister, Bihar made announcement on 27.07.2015 for ex-gratia grant of Rs. 4 lakh in case of premature death of contractual employees working under the State Government; (iv) Unfortunately, Shobha Kumari died due to brain haemorrhage on 06.12.2015 leaving behind her husband, namely, Bijendra Prasad (the appellant herein) and two minor daughters; (v) on 31.12.2015, the appellant-petitioner submitted an application before the respondent-Civil Surgeon-cum-Chief Medical Officer, Patna for the said exgratia grant of Rs. Four lakh; (vi) the Health Department, Government of Bihar, Patna came out with memo No. 86 (12) dated 03.02.2016 extending grant of exgratia to amongst other the family members of ‘ASHA workers’. (vii) appellant-petitioner submitted another application on 17.06.2016. It was followed by applications before the Executive Director, State Health Society, Patna (26/04/2018), again before the Civil Surgeon-cum-Chief Medical Officer, Patna (27/11/2018) and before the Executive Director, State Health Society, Patna (28/11/2018) but without any response; (viii) the appellant-petitioner also tried to get information through Right to Information Act but did not get any response whatsoever at the first occasion. (ix) the District Health Society, Patna under the signature of the Civil Surgeon-cum-Member Secretary, vide Memo No. 185 dated 09.05.2019 rejected the claim on the ground that his wife Shobha Kumari died on 06.12.2015 whereas the Health Department had issued the resolution on 03.02.2016 and as such the same cannot be extended to him (Annexure- 19 to the writ petition). 3. Aggrieved, CWJC No. 21995 of 2019 was filed. 3. Aggrieved, CWJC No. 21995 of 2019 was filed. The same was heard on 20.01.2020 in which the learned Single Judge chose not to issue any direction, forcing the appellant to prefer the present appeal. 4. The learned counsel for the appellant-petitioner submits that following the announcement of Hon’ble the Chief Minister on 27.07.2015, the State Cabinet approved the proposal of different Departments on 22.08.2015 itself. Further, the Information Technology Department came out with the gazette notification on 25.08.2015 itself extending the said benefit effective 27.07.2015 i.e the date of announcement. 5. The contention of the counsel for the appellantpetitioner is that a bare perusal of the I.T. Department’s Resolution No. 24.08.2015 published in the official gazette on 25.08.2015 in Column -3 shows that it incorporates amongst other the ‘ASHA workers’. Further Column No. 5 of the said resolution clearly state that this scheme will be applicable from the date of the announcement by Hon’ble Chief Minister i.e. from 27.07.2015. Further Column No. 7 states that the aforesaid resolution also stands approved by the Cabinet. 6. Learned counsel for the appellant-petitioner as such submits that Health Departmen, Bihar, Patna being also part of the State Government cannot be allowed to sit over the matter and deny the humanitarian relief. He as such submits that the learned Single Judge erred in not issuing any direction to the respondent-authorities to extend the said exgratia amount of Rs. Four lakhs to him as his wife Shobha Kumari died on 06.12.2015 whereas the benefit was extended with effect from 27.07.2015 i.e. the announcement of the Hon’ble Chief Minister duly approved by the State Cabinet on 22.08.2015. 7. Per contra, learned counsel for the respondents submit that the exgratia amount of Rs. Four lakhs has to be paid to the nearest relative of ‘ASHA workers’ in the light of resolution contained in Memo No. 86 (12) dated 03.02.2016. Further submission of learned State Counsel is/are that although there was confusion earlier on the cut-off-date, the Executive Director vide memo No. 600 dated 29.04.2019 clarified that it will be effective from the death that will occur after 03.02.2016 i.e. after the issuance of the aforesaid Memo No. 86 (12) dated 03.02.2016. He as such submitted that when the wife of the appellant-petitioner died on 06.12.2015, it cannot be extended to him. 8. He as such submitted that when the wife of the appellant-petitioner died on 06.12.2015, it cannot be extended to him. 8. The matter was taken up by this Court on 29.07.2022 and a direction was given to the Principal Secretary, Health Department to examine the same and pass an order and communicate it to the Court before the next date of hearing. 9. The matter was taken up on 18.08.2022 when the State Counsel provided the decision taken by the Principal Secretary, Health Department, Bihar Patna vide memo no. 1212(12) dated 10.08.2022. The Department has also taken the same plea that in view of the memo No. 86 (12) dated 03.02.2016, the same will be prospective in nature and the death of the wife of the appellant-petitioner having occurred on 06.12.2015, it cannot be extended to her family. 10. Heard learned counsel for the parties. 11. The question before this Court is whether the benefit of exgratia payment of Four Lakhs amongst legal heirs ‘ASHA Worker’ will be effective from 27.07.2015, when the Hon’ble Chief Minister made an announcement duly approved by the State Cabinet on 22.08.2015 or from the date when the Health Department chose to issue the memo no. 86 (12) dated 03.02.2016. 12. As per the materials on record, pursuant to the announcement of Hon’ble the Chief Minister Bihar on 27.07.2015, the different wings of the State Government like the Water Resources Department, the Minor Water Resources Department, the Education Department, the Information Technology Department as also the Health Department etc. speeded up the process to place the concerned file before the State cabinet for approval. 13. So far as the Health Department, Bihar Patna is concerned:— (i) as per the R.T.I. information provided vide letter no. 601(12) dated 27.08.2020 issued by the office of Additional Secretary, Health Services, Bihar, Patna following the announcement of Hon’ble the Chief Minister, Bihar it put forward the file for approval of the State Cabinet vide Memo No. 556 (12) dated 21.08.2015 under the signature of its Principal Secretary. 601(12) dated 27.08.2020 issued by the office of Additional Secretary, Health Services, Bihar, Patna following the announcement of Hon’ble the Chief Minister, Bihar it put forward the file for approval of the State Cabinet vide Memo No. 556 (12) dated 21.08.2015 under the signature of its Principal Secretary. ^^fcgkj ljdkj LokLF; foHkkx eaf=ifj"kn~ ds vuqeksnu gsrq lays[k fo"k; % LokLF; foHkkx rFkk jkT; LokLF; lfefr@ftyk LokLF; lfefr ds vUrxZr vk'kk ASHA-Accredited Social Health Activist ,oa jk"Vªh; LokLF; fe'ku ds vUrxZr vuqcaèk ij fu;qDr fpfdRld dh lsok vofèk ds nkSjku e`R;q gksus ij muds fudVre vkfJr dks jkT; ljdkj }kjk ;kstuk vUrxZr 4-00 yk[k ¼pkj yk[k½ :i;s vuqxzg vuqnku dh jkf'k nsus lacaèkh Lohd`fr iznku fd;s tkus ds lacaèk esaA 1- LokLF; foHkkx rFkk jkT; LokLF; lfefr@ftyk LokLF; lfefr esa jk"Vªh; LokLF; fe'ku ds vUrxZr dk;Zjr fpfdRld ¼vk;q"k ,oa nUr fpfdRld lfgr½@jk"Vªh; cky LokLF; dk;ZØe ds rgr dk;Zjr vk;q"k fpfdRld jkT; ds fpfdRlk lsok dks lqn`ढ+ djus esa vge Hkwfedk fuHkk jgs gSa] ftlls jkT; dh LokLF; lsok esa xq.kkRed ifjorZu ifjyf{kr gks jgk gSA 2- jkT; esa leqnk; Lrj ij csgrj LokLF; lqfoèkk eqgS;k djkus gsrq vk'kk (ASHA-Accredited Social Health Activist) dk;ZdÙkkZ dk;Zjr gSA vk'kk dk;ZdÙkkZ }kjk eq[; :i ls ekrkvksa vkSj f'k'kqvksa ds fy, iks"kd rRoksa] LoPNrk vkSj lQkbZ ds lkFk LoLFk okrkoj.k ds fuekZ.k ds vfrfjDr miyCèk LokLF; lsokvksa vkSj mldh mi;ksfxrk ds ckjs esa leqnk; dks tkx`r fd;k tk jgk gSA lkFk gh vk'kk ds }kjk izlo iwoZ rS;kjh] lqjf{kr izlo ds egRo] èkk=h ekrkvksa ds }kjk djk;s tkus okys Lruiku] fu;fer Vhdkdj.k] xHkZ fujksèkdksa ds lgh mi;ksx ,oa lkekU; laØe.kksa ls cpko ds lkFk iztuu vaxksa esa gksus okys laØe.k ls cpko gsrq ijke'kZ fn;k tkrk gSA vk'kk dk;ZdÙkkZ }kjk ifjokj fu;kstu gsrq mRizsjd dk dk;Z iz'kaluh; gSA jkT; esa yxHkx 83]624 vk'kk dk;ZdÙkkZ dk;Zjr gSA vk'kk dk;ZdÙkkZvksa dks fofHkUu izd`fr ds dk;ksZa ds fy, fofHkUu enksa ls izksRlkgu jkf'k dk Hkqxrku fd;k tkrk gSA 3- vk'kk ds lesfdr iz;kl ds QyLo:i jkT; esa tgka ,d vksj laLFkkxr lqjf{kr izlo esa o`f) gqbZ gS] ogha] nwljh vksj f'k'kq e`R;q nj esa dkQh deh vkbZ gS] tks buds vFkd vgfuZ'k iz;kl dk gh izfrQy gSA fo"ke ifjfLFkfr;ksa esa buds vewY; vonku dks n`f"ViFk esa j[krs gq, jkT; ljdkj }kjk LokLF; foHkkx esa vk'kk dh lsok vofèk ds nkSjku e`R;q gksus ij muds fudVre vkfJr dks ;kstuk vUrxZr 4-00 yk[k ¼pkj yk[k½ :i;s vuqxzg vuqnku dh jkf'k ds Hkqxrku fd;s tkus dk izLrko gSA 4- vuqcaèk ij fu;qDr fpfdRld ¼vk;q"k ,oa nUr fpfdRld lfgr½ dk jkT; dh LokLF; lsok dks lqn`ढ+ djus esa dkQh ljkguh; iz;kl jgk gSA vuqcaèk ij fu;qDr fpfdRldksa esa fof'k"Vrk izkIr fpfdRld Hkh gSa rFkk mu lc dh lsok xzkeh.k {ks=ksa esa LFkkfir lkeqnkf;d LokLF; dsUnz@izkFkfed LokLF; dsUnz@vfrfjDr izkFkfed LokLF; dsUnz esa yh tk jgh gSA lkFk gh vk'kk ,oa fpfdRldksa ¼vk;q"k ,oa nUr½ dh lsok vofèk ds nkSjku e`R;q gksus ij muds fudVre vkfJr dks ;kstuk vUrxZr 4-00 yk[k ¼pkj yk[k½ :i;s vuqxzg vuqnku dh jkf'k dk Hkqxrku fd, tkus dk izLrko gSA 5- bUgsa vuqxzg vuqnku dh jkf'k dk Hkqxrku ds fy, ;kstuk en dk 'kh"kZ ds lacaèk esa foÙk foHkkx ls lgefr izkIr dj vyx ls vkns'k fuxZr fd;k tk,xkA 6- mijksDr izLrko ,oa lays[k izk:i esa foRr foHkkx dh lgefr izkIr gSA 7- mijksDr izLrko ,oa lays[k izk:i esa foHkkxh; ea=h dk vuqeksnu izkIr gSA 8- lays[k dh dafMdk&3 ,oa 4 esa fufgr izLrko esa eaf=ifj"kn~ dh Lohd`fr izkfFkZr gSA ¼czts'k esgjks=k½ ljdkj ds izèkku lfpoA Kkikad&12@iñ&fofoèk&08&43@2015 556¼12½ iVuk] fnukad&21-08-2015 izfrfyfi %& 45 vfrfjDr izfr;ksa ds lkFk eaf=ifj"kn~ dh LohÑfr izkIr fd;s tkus gsrq eaf=eaMy lfpoky; foHkkx dks lwpukFkZ ,oa vko';d dkjZokbZ gsrq izsf"krA ljdkj ds izèkku lfpoA** (ii) the State Cabinet took up the matter of all the Departments under it and approved grant of ex gratia payments of Rs. 4,00,000/- to kin of contractual employee (in case of death) on 22.08.2015. The issue relating to Health Department (ASHA Workers included) was also approved vide agenda no. 46 and finds place in page 4 of the file. LokLF; foHkkx ----------------------------- LokLF; foHkkx ds lays[k Kkikad&556 fnukad&21-08-2015 esa lfUufgr izLrko eaf=ifj"kn~ dh cSBd fnukad&22-08-2015 esa en la[;k&46 ds :i esa lfEefyr fd;k x;kA cSBd dh dk;Zokgh ds vorj.k ds lkFk vkidh lafpdk ykSVk;h tkrh gSA 46- LokLF; foHkkx rFkk jkT; LokLF; lfefr@ftyk LokLF; lfefr ds vUrxZr vk'kk (ASHA-Accredited Social Health Activist) ,oa jk"Vªh; LokLF; fe'ku ds vUrxZr vuqcaèk ij fu;qDr fpfdRld dh lsok vofèk ds nkSjku e`R;q gksus ij muds fudVre vkfJr dks jkT; ljdkj }kjk ;kstuk vUrxZr 4-00 yk[k ¼pkj yk[k½ :i;s vuqxzg vuqnku dh jkf'k nsus lacaèkh Lohd`fr iznku fd;s tkus ds lacaèk esaA 46- Lohd`rA 46- LokLF; foHkkx rFkk jkT; LokLF; lfefr@ftyk LokLF; lfefr ds vUrxZr vk'kk (ASHA-Accredited Social Health Activist) ,oa jk"Vªh; LokLF; fe'ku ds vUrxZr vuqcaèk ij fu;qDr fpfdRld dh lsok vofèk ds nkSjku e`R;q gksus ij muds fudVre vkfJr dks jkT; ljdkj }kjk ;kstuk vUrxZr 4-00 yk[k ¼pkj yk[k½ :i;s vuqxzg vuqnku dh jkf'k nsus lacaèkh Lohd`fr iznku fd;s tkus ds lacaèk esaA 46- Lohd`rA lfpo] LokLF; dks"kkax 24 AUG 2015 fcgkj] iVuk ¼misUnz ukFk ik.Ms;½ ljdkj ds mi lfpo eaf=eaMy lfpoky; foHkkx gLrk{kj&vLi"V 24@08@2015 gLrk{kj&vLi"V 25@08 gLrk{kj&vLi"V SO-12 Jh fodkl gLrk{kj&vLi"V 28@08 (iii) the departments whose proposals were approved on 22.08.2015 included:— (a) Social Welfare Department (Agenda No. 29) (b) SC/ST Welfare Department (Agenda No. 31) (c) Water Resources Department (Agenda No. 32) (d) Education Department (Agenda No.37 & 39) (e) Minor Water Resources Department (Agenda No. 41) (f) Building Construction Department (Agenda No. 42) (g) Information Technology Department (Agenda No. 43) (h) Public Health Engineering Deartment (Agenda No. 44) (i) Health Department Agenda No. 45 and (Agenda No. 46) (relating to ASHA workers) (j) Rural Works Department (Agenda No. 51) (k) Road Construction Department (Agenda No. 52) 14. Further, after the proposal was approved by the State Cabinet, it was promptly sent by the Cabinet Secretariate and was received by the Health Department on 24.08.2015 as would reflect from the seal and sign. 15. This Court as a test case took up the matter of Information Technology Department, Bihar, Patna on how it acted after it got approval from the State Government on 22.08.2015 (vide Agenda No. 43). 16. 15. This Court as a test case took up the matter of Information Technology Department, Bihar, Patna on how it acted after it got approval from the State Government on 22.08.2015 (vide Agenda No. 43). 16. The Information Technology Department, Bihar after getting approval on 22.08.2015 took immediate steps and vide resolution no. 16/2015-1253 dated 24.08.2015 (published in Bihar gazette on 25.08.2015) extended the benefit to its contractual employees effective 27.07.2015 i.e. the date Hon’ble Chief Minister made the announcement and the same is reproduced hereinbelow. 16. The Information Technology Department, Bihar after getting approval on 22.08.2015 took immediate steps and vide resolution no. 16/2015-1253 dated 24.08.2015 (published in Bihar gazette on 25.08.2015) extended the benefit to its contractual employees effective 27.07.2015 i.e. the date Hon’ble Chief Minister made the announcement and the same is reproduced hereinbelow. fcgkj xtV vlkèkkj.k vad fcgkj ljdkj }kjk izdkf'kr 3 Hkknz 1937 ¼'kñ½ ¼lañ iVuk 962½ iVuk] eaxyokj] 25 vxLr 2015 lañ 01&lwñizkñ¼LFkkñ½&16@2015&1253 lwpuk izkoSfèkdh foHkkx &&&&&&&&&& ladYi 24 vxLr 2015 fo"k; % lafonk ij lHkh fu;ksftr MkVk bUVªh vkWijsVj@dk;Zikyd lgk;d@vkbZñVhñ lgk;d@vkbZñVhñ eSustj dh lsok vofèk ds nkSjku e`R;q ij muds fudVre vkfJr dks :ñ 4]00]000-00 ¼pkj yk[k½ ek=k vuqxzg vuqnku dh jkf'k iznku fd;s tkus dh LohÑfr ds lacaèk esaA jkT; ljdkj us ;g eglwl fd;k gS fd jkT; ljdkj ds }kjk fu;ksftr ,oa lafonk ij fu;ksftr dfeZ;ksa dks lsok vofèk ds nkSjku e`R;q gksus ds QyLo:i muds vkfJrkas dks vkfFkZd dfBukbZ;ksa dk lkeuk djuk iM+rk gSA 2- mDr igyqvksa dks è;ku esa j[krs gq, fnukad 27-07-2015 dks ekuuh; eq[;ea=h] fcgkj ds }kjk fjiksVZ dkMZ tkjh djus ds volj ij fofHkUu ?kks"k.kk,¡ dh xbZ] ftlesa ls fu;ksftr dfeZ;ksa ds fy;s Hkh vfregRoiw.kZ ?kks"k.kk FkhA 3- mDr ?kks"k.kk ds vuqlkj ^^lHkh fu;ksftr f'k{kd] Vksy lsod] f'k{kk Lo;alsoh] vk'kk dk;ZdÙkkZ] eerk] vk¡xuckM+h lsfodk@lgkf;dk] fo|ky; ds jlksbZ;k] vuqcaèk ij dk;Zjr duh;@lgk;d vfHk;ark ,oa fpfdRld] fdlku lykgdkj@d`f"k leUo;d@MkVk bUVªh vkWijsVj@dk;Zikyd lgk;d@vkbZñVhñ eSustj dh lsok vofèk ds nkSjku e`R;q ij muds fudVre vkfJr dks :ñ4]00]000-00 ¼pkj yk[k½ ek=k vuqxzg vuqnku dh jkf'k nh tk;sxhA** 4- pawfd lafonk ij lHkh fu;ksftr MkVk bUVªh vkWijsVj@dk;Zikyd lgk;d@vkbZñVhñ lgk;d@ vkbZñVhñ eSustj dh lsok vofèk ds nkSjku e`R;q ij muds fudVre vkfJr dks :ñ 4]00]000-00 ¼pkj yk[k½ ek=k vuqxzg vuqnku dh jkf'k fn;s tkus dk izLrko jkT; ljdkj ds le{k fopkjkèkhu gSA 5- vuqxzg vuqnku dh jkf'k dk Hkqxrku lwpuk izkoSfèkdh foHkkx ds xSj ;kstuk en O;; 'kh"kZ& eq[; 'kh"kZ&3451&lfpoky&vkfFkZd lsok,¡] mieq[; 'kh"kZ&00] y?kq 'kh"kZ&090&lfpoky] mi'kh"kZ& 0027&lwpuk izkoSfèkdh foHkkx] foi=k dksM &N-3451000900027] fo"k; 'kh"kZ&33 02&vuqxzg vuqnku vUrxZr izkoèkkfur dh tkuh okyh jkf'k ls fd;k tk;sxkA 5- ;g ;kstuk ekuuh; eq[;ea=h ds }kjk fd;s x;s ?kks"k.kk dh frfFk ;kfu fnukad 27-07-2015 ls izHkkoh gksxhA 7- mDr ladYi dks fnukad 22-08-2015 dks en~ la[;k&43 ds :i esa eaf=ifj"kn~ ds }kjk Lohd`fr iznku dh x;h gSA vkns'k%&vkns'k fn;k tkrk gS fd bl ladYi dks jktdh; jkti= ds vlkèkkj.k vad esa izdkf'kr fd;k tk; vkSj bldh izfr lHkh foHkkx@foHkkxkè;{k@izeaMyh; vk;qDr@ftykfèkdkjh@ vuqeaMykfèkdkjh dks lwpuk ,oa vko';d dkjZokbZ gsrq Hksth tk;A fcgkj&jkTiky ds vkns'k ls] MkWñ ,lñ fl)kFkZ] ljdkj ds lfpoA uksV%&lafonk ij lHkh fu;ksftr MkVk bUVªh vkWijsVj@dk;Zikyd lgk;d@vkbZñVhñ lgk;d@ vkbZñVhñ eSustj dh lsok vofèk ds nkSjku e`R;q ij muds fudVre vkfJr dks :ñ 4]00]000-00 ¼pkj yk[k½ ek=k vuqxzg vuqnku dh jkf'k iznku fd;s tkus ls lacafèkr ladYi dks bUVjusV ij csolkbZV http://gov.bih.nic.in and www.biharonline.gov.in ds ekè;e ls Mkmu yksM fd;k tk ldrk gSA &&&&&&&&&&&& vèkh{kd] lfpoky; eqæ.kky;] fcgkj] iVuk }kjk izdkf'kr ,oa eqfærA fcgkj xtV ¼vlkèkkj.k½ 962&571$500&MhñVhñihñA Website: http://egazette.bih.nic.in” 17. Now, we have to evaluate how the Health Department behaved in the matter vis-a-vis I.T. Department after such an important decision taken by the State Government and approved by its Cabinet on 22.08.2015. 18. As stated before, the file returned to the Health Department on 24.08.2015 (as per stamp/seal at page no. 4 of the file). However, thereafter it was kept in the cupboards for the next five months as the next noting in the file was made on 27.01.2016 (as would reflect from page -5). It is reiterated that State Cabinet approval is at page 4 in the file. ^^d`i;k ikj&i`"B&4@fVñ ij eaf=eaMy lfpoky; foHkkx dh fVIi.kh ,oa i`"B 9&8@iñ ij izèkku lfpo] LokLF; ds vuqeksnuksijkar eaf=eaMy ds vuqeksnu izkfIr gsrq jf{kr lays[k dh izfr dk voyksdu djuk pkgsaxsA i`"B&9&8@iñ ij jf{kr lays[k dh izfr ij eaf=eaMy lfpoky; foHkkx dh Lohd`fr izkIr gks pqdh gSA ¼d`ñ i`"B&4@fVñ ij n`"VO;½A rnuqlkj] mDr lays[k dh izfr ds vkyksd esa fo"k;kafdr LokLF; foHkkx o jkT; Lokñ lfefr@ftyk Lokñ lfefr ds varxZr vuqcaèk ij dk;Zjr lHkh fpfdRldksa ¼vk;q"k@nar fpfdRld lfgr½ rFkk eerk dk;ZdÙkkZ ¼LoSfPNd dk;ZdÙkkZ½ dh lsok vofèk ds nkSjku e`R;q gksus ij muds fudVre vkfJr dks jkT; ljdkj }kjk pkj yk[k vuqxzg vuqnku dh jkf'k nsus lacaèkh Lohd`fr eaf=eaMy lfpoky; ls iznku dj nh xbZ gS] vr% lacafèkr ladYi izk:i ij la;qDr lfpo Jh oekZ dk gLrk{kj] d`i;k lger gksa rks izkIr djuk pkgsaxsA 27&1&2016 iz'kk[kk inkñ&12 LokLF; foHkkx rFkk jkT; Lokñ lñ@ftyk Lokñ lñ ds varxZr vk'kk ,oa jk"Vªh; Lokñ fe'ku ds varxZr vuqcaèk ij fu;qDr fpfdRld dh lsok vofèk ds nkSjku e`R;q gksus ij muds fudVre vkfJr dks pkj yk[k :i;s vuqxzg vuqnku dh jkf'k ds Hkqxrku dh Lohd`fr gsrq lays[k eaf=eaMy lfpoky; foHkkx dks Hksth xbZ FkhA i`ñ 9@iñ n`"VO;A** 19. The perusal of file noting at page 5 shows that the Department has not assigned any reason for delaying the issuance of memo/resolution for five long months. 20. Finally, vide memo no. The perusal of file noting at page 5 shows that the Department has not assigned any reason for delaying the issuance of memo/resolution for five long months. 20. Finally, vide memo no. 86(2) dated 03.02.2016, the Department extended the benefit to its contractual employees including the ‘ASHA workers’ which read as follows :— ^^fcgkj ljdkj LokLF; foHkkx ladYi fo"k; %& LokLF; foHkkx rFkk jkT; LokLF; lfefr@ftyk LokLF; lfefr ds varxZr vk'kk (ASHA-Accredited Social Health Activist) ,oa jk"Vªh; LokLF; fe'ku ds varxZr vuqcaèk ij fu;qDr fpfdRld dh lsok vofèk ds nkSjku e`R;q gksus ij muds fudVre vkfJr dks jkT; ljdkj }kjk ;kstukUrxZr pkj yk[k :i;k vuqxzg vuqnku dh jkf'k dh Lohd`fr ds lacaèk esaA 1- LokLF; foHkkx rFkk jkT; LokLF; lfefr@ftyk LokLF; lfefr ds varxZr vuqcaèk ij dk;Zjr lHkh fpfdRldksa ¼vk;q"k ,oa nar fpfdRldksa lfgr½@jk"Vªh; cky LokLF; dk;ZØe ds rgr dk;Zjr vk;q"k fpfdRld jkT; dh fpfdRlk lsok lqn`ढ+ djus esa vge~ Hkwfedk fuHkk jgs gSa] ftlls jkT; dh LokLF; lsok esa xq.kkRed ifjorZu ifjyf{kr gks jgk gSA 2- jkT; esa leqnk; Lrj ij csgrj LokLF; lqfoèkk eqgS;k djkus gsrq vk'kk (ASHA-Accredited Social Health Activist) dk;ZdrkZ dk;Zjr gSaA vk'kk dk;ZdrkZ }kjk eq[; :i ls ekrkvksa vkSj f'k'kqvksa ds fy, iks"kd rRoksa] LoPNrk vkSj lQkbZ ds lkFk LoLFk okrkoj.k ds fuekZ.k ds vfrfjDr miyCèk LokLF; lsokvksa vkSj mldh mi;ksfxrk ds ckjs esa leqnk; dks tkx`r fd;k tk jgk gSA lkFk gh] vk'kk ds }kjk izlo iwoZ rS;kjh] lqjf{kr izlo ds egRo] èkkr` ekrkvksa ds }kjk djk;s tkus okys Lruiku] fu;fer Vhdkdj.k] xHkZ fujksèkdksa ds lgh mi;ksx ,oa lkekU; laØe.kksa ls cpko ds lkFk iztuu vaxksa esa gksus okys laØe.k ls cpko gsrq ijke'kZ fn;k tkrk gSA vk'kk dk;ZdrkZ }kjk ifjokj fu;kstu gsrq mRizsjd dk dk;Z iz'kaluh; gSA jkT; esa yxHkx 83]624 vk'kk dk;ZdrkZ dk;Zjr gSA vk'kk dk;ZdrkZvksa dks fofHkUu izd`fr ds dk;ksZa ds fy, fofHkUu enksa ls izksRlkgu jkf'k dk Hkqxrku fd;k tkrk gSA 3- vk'kk ds leqfpr iz;kl ds QyLo:i jkT; esa tgka ,d vksj laLFkkxr lqjf{kr izlo esa o`f} gqbZ gS] ogha nwljh vksj f'k'kq e`R;q nj esa dkQh deh vkbZ gS] tks muds vFkd vgfuZ'k iz;kl dk gh izfrQy gSA fo"ke ifjfLFkfr;ksa esa buds vewY; ;ksxnku dks n`f"ViFk esa j[krs gq, jkT; ljdkj }kjk LokLF; foHkkx esa vk'kk dk;ZdÙkkZ dh lsok vofèk ds nkSjku e`R;q gksus ij muds fudVre vkfJr dks ;kstukUrxZr pkj yk[k :i;s vuqxzg vuqnku jkf'k ds Hkqxrku fd;s tkus dk izLrko jkT; ljdkj ds fopkjkèkhu FkkA 4- vuqcaèk ij fu;qDr fpfdRld ¼vk;q"k ,oa nar fpfdRld lfgr½ dk jkT; ds LokLF; lsok dks lqn`ढ+ djus esa dkQh ljkguh; iz;kl jgk gSA vuqcaèk ij fu;qDr fpfdRldksa esa fof'k"Vrk izkIr fpfdRld Hkh gSa rFkk mu lc dh lsok xzkeh.k {ks=ksa esa LFkkfir lkeqnkf;d LokLF; dsUnz@izkFkfed LokLF; dsUnz@vfrfjDr izkFkfed LokLF; dsUnz esa yh tk jgh gSA vr% jkT; ljdkj us fopkjksijkUr ;g fu.kZ; fy;k gS fd vk'kk ,oa vuqcaèk ij fu;qDr fpfdRldksa ¼vk;q"k ,oa nar fpfdRld½ dh lsok vofèk ds nkSjku e`R;q gksus ij muds fudVre vkfJr dks jkT; ljdkj }kjk ;kstukUrxZr pkj yk[k :i;s vuqxzg vuqnku dh jkf'k dk Hkqxrku fd;k tk,xkA 5- vuqxzg vuqnku dh jkf'k dk Hkqxrku ds fy, ;kstuk en 'kh"kZ ds lacaèk esa foÙk foHkkx ls lgefr izkIr dj vyx ls vkns'k fuxZr fd;k tk,xkA vkns'k%&vkns'k fn;k tkrk gS fd bl ladYi dh 500 ¼ikap lkS½ izfr;ka fcgkj jkti= ds vkxkeh vad esa izdkf'kr dh tk; rFkk foHkkx dks miyCèk djk;h tk;A fcgkj jkT;iky ds vkns'k ls] ¼'ks[kj pUnz oekZ½ ljdkj ds la;qDr lfpoA** 21. Again, the Court after perusal of memo dated 03.02.2016 finds that:— (i) in para 3, it has been stated that the matter relating to ex-gratia payment of Rs. 4,00,000/- was pending with the State Government; (ii) in para 4, it has further been stated that the State Government after consideration has decided to extend the benefits to amongst legal heirs of ASHA workers. 22. In the considered view of this Court an entirely false statement has been made in para 3 of the said memo no. 86(12) dated 03.02.2016 inasmuch as the same never remained pending with the State Government. The file relating to proposal was put forward by the Health Department on 21.08.2015 and promptly approved by the State Cabinet on very next day, i.e on 22.08.2015. It again immediately returned the file which was received in the Health Department on 24.08.2015 itself. It shows how serious the State Government was relating to extension of said benefits to the kins of contractual employees. 23. Further, to save its skin for the said lapses/ the inordinate delay, the memo dated 03.02.2016 deliberately omitted the date as to when the State Government approved the proposal after due consideration. 24. The Court is further of the considered view that it was not only the defiance of the announcement made by Hon’ble Chief Minister, Bihar on 27.07.2015, it was also in complete defiance of the approval made by the State Government on 22.08.2015 itself and in the process denying the kins of contractual employees their legitimate dues. 25. Heard counsel for the parties. 26. The admitted facts are that:— (i) on 27.07.2015, Hon’ble the Chief Minister, Bihar made announcement for making ex-gratia payment of Rs. 4,00,000/- to the dependents of contractual employee in case of his/her death; (ii) accordingly, the concerned Departments including the Health Department put up their respective proposals on 21.08.2015; (iii) the very next day i.e. on 22.08.2015, the State Cabinet approved the proposal (agenda no. 4,00,000/- to the dependents of contractual employee in case of his/her death; (ii) accordingly, the concerned Departments including the Health Department put up their respective proposals on 21.08.2015; (iii) the very next day i.e. on 22.08.2015, the State Cabinet approved the proposal (agenda no. 46) amongst other of the Health Department and returned the same which was received in the Department on 24.08.2015 (as reflects from page-4 of the file); (iv) the Information Technology Department, Bihar promptly extended the same vide gazette notification dated 25.08.2015 effective 27.07.2015; (v) the Health Department on the other hand chose to wait for an auspicious day which finaly came on 27.01.2016 (full five months later) when it put up the file noting (at page -5) for the first time after the approval by the State Cabinet; (vi) to hide the said inordinate delay, it recorded in para 3 that the matter was pending consideration before the State Government; (vii) accordingly, vide memo no. 86(12) dated 03.02.2016, it finally extended the said benefits; 27. The wife of the appellant-petitioner died on 06.12.2015, much after the approval of the scheme by the State Cabinet (on 22.08.2015). The appellant-petitioner accordingly preferred application on 31.12.2015 before the Civil Surgeon cum Chief Medical Officer, Patna for extending the said benefits. It was followed by more such petitions. 28. The District Health Society, Patna under the signature of Civil Surgeon cum Member Secretary vide memo no. 185 dated 18.05.2019 rejected the claim holding that in view of the memo having been issued on 03.02.2016, the same cannot be extended to him. 29. Aggrieved, the appellant-petitioner preferred CWJC No. 21995 of 2019 which was disposed of on 20.01.2020 holding that in view of the policy still being framed, there is no occasion to issue any direction. 30. Still aggrieved, the present appeal was filed. This matter was taken up by the Court on 29.07.2022 and the respondent-Principal Secretary was directed to take decision and communicate the same to the Court on the next date of hearing. 31. When the matter was taken up for final hearing on 18.08.2022, a supplementary counter affidavit was filed annexing the decision taken by the Principal Secretary, Health, Bihar vide memo no. 1212 (12) dated 10.08.2022 in which after holding that as the memo no. 86(12) was issued on 03.02.2016 and wife of appellant-petitioner died on 06.12.2015, the claim is inadmissible. 32. When the matter was taken up for final hearing on 18.08.2022, a supplementary counter affidavit was filed annexing the decision taken by the Principal Secretary, Health, Bihar vide memo no. 1212 (12) dated 10.08.2022 in which after holding that as the memo no. 86(12) was issued on 03.02.2016 and wife of appellant-petitioner died on 06.12.2015, the claim is inadmissible. 32. The Court is of the considered view that when Hon’ble Chief Minister, Bihar announced the scheme on 27.07.2015 followed by approval of the Health Department’s proposal (dated 21.08.2015) on the very next day, 22.08.2015 and further returned the file on 24.08.2015, the Health Department cannot be allowed to sit over such an important decision of the State Government for five months and refuse to extend the said benefits to the kin/dependent of the deceaseds and make them suffer for its own lapses without reason. The Health Department, Bihar is bound to act immediately after the same got approved by the State Cabinet on 22.08.2015 along with other Departments. 33. This also in the backdrop of fact that the Information Technology Department, Bihar Patna published the gazette notification on 25.08.2015 extending the said benefit effective 27.07.2015. Certainly, the two hands (Information & Technology Department and Health Department) of the State Government cannot be allowed to act differently on such an important scheme unless the Health Department comes out with a cogent reason for delaying it for more than five months. 34. Taking into account the observations made above, this Court holds that both the orders vide memo no. 185 dated 18.05.2019 issued by the Civil Surgeon cum Member Secretary, District Health Society, Patna and memo no. 1212(12) dated 10.08.2022 are bad and have to go and are accordingly set aside. 35. The Principal Secretary, Health Department, Government of Bihar, Old Secretariat Patna (Respondent No. 5) is directed to extend the benefits of Rs. 4,00,000/- to the appellant herein (the husband of Shobha Kumari, ASHA worker who died on 06.12.2015) as announced by Hon’ble Chief Minister, Bihar and approved by the State Cabinet on 22.08.2015 within a period of eight weeks from the date of production of a copy of this order. 36. 4,00,000/- to the appellant herein (the husband of Shobha Kumari, ASHA worker who died on 06.12.2015) as announced by Hon’ble Chief Minister, Bihar and approved by the State Cabinet on 22.08.2015 within a period of eight weeks from the date of production of a copy of this order. 36. As an important scheme of the State Government was put on hold for five long months in complete defiance of the announcement of Hon’ble the Chief Minister, Bihar 27.07.2015 and approved by the State Cabinet on 22.08.2015, the responsibilities must be fixed in the matter. 37. With the aforesaid observations, the appeal is stands allowed.