JUDGMENT :

1. This writ petition is directed against an order passed by the Secretary, Prayagraj Development Authority, Prayagraj dated February the 4th, 2023, rejecting the petitioner's claim for reimbursement of medical expenses incurred on his wife’s treatment.

2. The petitioner is a retired Junior Engineer, who was in the employ of the erstwhile Allahabad Development Authority, Allahabad. He retired on 31.07.2017 upon attaining the age of superannuation. The Allahabad Development Authority, Allahabad has since been re-named as the Prayagraj Development Authority, Prayagraj, and the petitioner, therefore, is a retired employee of the last named Authority. The Prayagraj Development Authority, Prayagraj shall hereinafter be referred to as 'the PDA'.

3. The petitioner has disclosed in minute detail facts relating to his recruitment in the PDA, his regularization in service, the amendments made to rules affecting his service at different points of time, but all that is unnecessary for the purpose of the issue that arises in this petition. What is of significance is that while the petitioner was in service of the PDA, the Under Secretary, Department of Planning and Development, Governme