R.K. Merathia, J.

1. Pursuant to the last order, Mr. Jayant Prasad, Deputy Director of Accounts, Dumka is present. Heard.

2. The only dispute in this case is with regard to payment of statutory interest on provident fund amount. Petitioners contention is that he should be paid up to the preceding month of payment, whereas, Boards case is that it is to be paid for maximum six months after retirement.

3. Admittedly, petitioner retired in the month of April. 2003 but the provident fund amount was sanctioned only on 25.2.2004 (Annexure-3) in which interest was calculated for six months after the month of retirement i.e. up to October, 2003. There is nothing to show that petitioner was at fault at any stage for the delay in payment.

4. Learned counsel appearing for JSEB, with reference to Rule 14(4) of the Bihar GPF Rules, submitted that interest was payable only for a period of six months from the date of retirement, if it was not paid within six months, but he could not show anything that as per the proviso to the said rule, the Accounts Officer intimated the petitioner a date on which he is prepared to make payment in cash or has posted a cheque to the petitioner.

In my view, in the