ORDER

Per: SURESH KUMAR BATRA MEMBER (J):-

1. Since the facts, relief claimed, grounds and law cited in support of the claim, in the three above captioned Original Applications are similar, therefore, with the consent of learned counsel for the parties, these are disposed of by a common order. For the sake of convenience, the facts are taken from O.A. No. 521/2023 titled Jitender Singh Vs. Union of India and Others. The relief claim in these OAs is as under:-

(i) To direct the respondents to pay interest @ 18% per annum on the delayed payment of amount of pension and retiral dues, in the interest of justice with all consequential benefits.

2. Briefly stated, the facts of the case are that applicant was initially appointed as Constable in the office of respondents on 29.04.1987. He has retired as Inspector (ORP) from the office of respondent no. 3 on 31.03.2022. After the retirement, the applicant was given PPO No. 708552300327 and the pension of the applicant was fixed at Rs. 48,334/-per month from the date of retirement. However, his retiral dues were not released at the time of his retirement. He submitted joint representation dated 07.12.2022 (Annexure A-3) seeking release of pensio