Harish Kumar, J.—Considering the identical nature of grievance based upon similar facts, with the consent of all the parties; these batch of the writ petitions were heard simultaneously and being disposed off by this common order/judgment.

2. The issue involved in the batch of these writ petitions is in narrow compass with regard to the applicability and entitlement of the petitioners to the benefit under the amended provisions of the Assured Career Progression Scheme (hereinafter referred to as ‘the ACP Scheme’) and its quantified benefits thereupon as well as the entitlement to interest on Group Insurance Scheme at the rate of 12.5% and the interest at the rate of 9% on the deferred dearness allowance along with statutory interest over the delayed payment.

3. Before answering the issue involved in the present writ petitions, the necessary facts, which are germane for adjudication are required to be taken note of.

4. The petitioners in all the batch of the writ petitions are retired Office Assistants/Accounts Assistant and Senior Selection Grade Assistant of L. N. Mithila University. Aggrieved by the inaction of the respondent State as well as University authorities, they are invoking the jurisdiction of this Court under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking a direction to ensure payment of full pension as well as difference of pension after according the benefit of ACP and 6th Pay Scale. The petitioners also sought a direction upon the authorities concerned to ensure payment of admissible Group Insurance and deferred dearness allowance along with admissible interest.

5. Upon being superannuated, the petitioners have been allowed the pension and the other benefits on the fixed pay scale after granting the benefit of ACP/MACP. However, despite lapse of a considerable period, when the petitioners have not been accorded the full and final pension and other retiral benefits/admissible dues, the petitioners approached before the Pension office of the respondent University. It is worth noting that in compliance of the order of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of State of Bihar and Another vs. Sunny Prakash and Others (Civil Appeal No. 516 of 2013), reported in (2013) 3 SCC 559 [: 2013 (1) BLJ 170 (SC)], the petitioners were accorded the admissible pay scale of Rs. 5500-9000/- with effect from 01.01.1996 and also the benefits of 1st and 2nd ACP by the Statutory Pay Fixation Committee.

6. Notably the petitioners have been allowed the pay scale of Rs.5500-9000/- on 01.09.1996, thereafter they were accorded the benefit of 1st ACP in the pay scale of Rs.6500- 10500/- on 09.08.1999 considering the fact that the petitioners were also entitled to the benefit of 2nd ACP in view of the amendment in the ACP Rules in the year 2006 and further in the year 2008, the petitioners have also been accorded the benefit of 2nd ACP in the pay scale of Rs.10,000-15,200/- with effect from the same date on 09.08.1999. Later on, the petitioners were granted the pay scale of Rs.15,600-39,100/- with Grade Pay of Rs. 6600/- with effect from 01.01.2006. On the basis of the aforenoted pay scales, pensions of the petitioners were duly fixed and they have been paid arrears of pension partially on last pay point of Rs.15,600-39,100/- with Grade Pay of Rs. 6600/- for two years.

7. Notwithstanding the fixation of the pension after due consideration of the prescriptions, as provided under the ACP Rules, and the amendment thereof, when the petitioners have not been allowed the pre and post retiral dues, the petitioners approached before this Court by filing the present writ petitions. Surprisingly, instead of making payment of arrears, the matter was placed before the Pay Verification Cell and without there being any notice or opportunity of hearing, the pay scale of the petitioners were slashed down by excluding the benefit of 2nd ACP in the pay scale of Rs.10,000-15,200/- and finally the petitioners have been accorded the pay scale of Rs.9300-34,800/- with