The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday summoned the Principal Secretary, Urban Development on January 11 with an explanation for not giving funds to the Nagar Panchayat, Firozabad. The lack of funds had been cited for not paying the retirement benefits of the petitioner.
The order was given by Justice Saral Shrivastava on the petition of Mukesh Kumar. In the counter-affidavit, it was stated that the funds of the Nagar Panchayat has been reduced and the Chairman, Nagar Panchayat has written several letters to Principal Secretary, Urban Development, State of Uttar Pradesh for release of the fund.
It is further stated that the District Magistrate, Firozabad has also written letter to the Principal Secretary to release it but the funds have not been released and due to shortage of fund, the retirement dues of the petitioner could not be paid.
Since the payment of dues could not be made on account of paucity of funds and despite their several requests sent to the Principal Secretary for release of the fund, no fund has been released in favour of Nagar Panchayat.
The Court asked the Principal Secretary, Urban Development to appear and explain as to why the funds have not been released so that the payment of retirement dues of the employee of Nagar Panchayat be paid.
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In case, the fund is released from the office of Principal Secretary and payment of dues is made to the petitioner, the Principal Secretary need not appear in person and may file a personal affidavit explaining the reason for the delay in the release of the fund, the Court ordered.