WP(C)/22/2025 of Smt. Selthangi and 9 Ors. Vs Mizoram Khadi and Village Industries Board r/b its Chairman and 2 Ors. on 13 October 2026

ORDER

14.10.2026

Heard Mr. A.R. Malhotra, learned counsel for the petitioners. Also heard Ms. Lalnunhlui, learned Government Advocate for respondent No. 3 and Mr. Lalruatpuia Sailo, learned counsel for the respondent Nos. 1 & 2 in both the writ petitions.

2. The petitioners have prayed for a direction to be issued to the respondents, to enable them to continue enjoying their monthly pension, in accordance with the provisions of the Mizoram Khadi & Village Industries Board Employees (Pension) Regulation, 2002 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘2002 Regulations’), with interest for delayed payment.

3. The petitioners’ counsel submits that subsequent to the Judgment & Order dated 06.10.2023 passed by the Division Bench of this Court in WP(C) Nos. 10 & 11/2022, wherein a direction had been issued that the petitioners had the vested and accrued right to receive pension and pensionary benefits in terms of the mandate of 2002 Regulations and that the offending amendments, namely Regulation 4 (2)(4)(iii) and (iv) of the Mizoram Khadi & Village Industries Board Employees (Pension)(Amendment) Regulation, 2019 and amending Regulation 4(2)(5)(i) of the Amended Regulation, 2019 could not be made applicable retrospectively to the petitioners, in view of the 2002 Regulation, the petitioners will have to be paid their arrear pension.

4. Ms. Lalnunhlui, learned Government Advocate for the respondent No. 3 submits that pursuant to the Division Bench Judgment of this Court in WP(C) Nos. 10 & 11/2022, the Under Secretary to the Government of Mizoram, Finance Department (Budget) had issued letter No. G/940/2026-Budget-FD dated 07.09.2026 to the Senior Accounts Officer, Office of the Principal Accountant General, New Capital Complex, MINECO, Aizawl, wherein a proposal had been submitted for opening of a new Head of Account for payment of pension to the petitioners, which is as follows:- “Major Head : 2071-Pension & Other Retirement Benefits Sub Major Head : 01-Civil Minor Head : 110-Pension of Employees of Local Bodies Sub Head : (02)-Pensions of State Autonomous Bodies

Detailed Head : 01-Pension to Employees of MBSE/State Object Head : (04)-Pensionary Charges Detailed Head : 02-Pension to Employees of MKVIB/State Object Head : (04)-Pensionary Charges”

5. Ms. Lalnunhlui, learned Government Advocate submits that as per information received from the office of the Accountant General, Aizawl, the opening of a separate budget head, as shown above has been approved by the office of the Accountant General. Later, she submits letter No. 5-Appn/New Head (1-19)/2025-26/166 dated 07.10.2026 issued by the Sr. Accounts Officer, Office of the Accountant General, Mizoram, which is to the effect that he has approved the proposal made for opening new Heads of Account for payment of pension.

6. The contents of the letter No. 5-Appn/New Head (1-19)/2025-26/166 dated 07.10.2026 issued by the Sr. Accounts Officer, Office of the Accountant General, Mizoram states as follows:- “With reference to your letter No. G-20/304/2026-BUDGET-FD dated 01/10/2026 on the subject cited above, I am to inform you that the revised proposal for opening of new heads of account for payment of pension under Revenue Head 2071 - Pension and other Retirement Benefits are examined and found appropriate. The Competent Authority has approved the proposal as detailed below:

Demand 9-Finance

1. Major Head : 2071-Pension & Other Retirement Benefits Sub Major Head : 01-Civil Minor Head : 110-Pension of Employees of Local Bodies Sub Head : (02)-Pensions of State Autonomous Bodies/State Detailed Head : 01-Pension to Employees of MBSE/State Object Head : (31)-Grants-in-aid General

2. Major Head : 2071-Pension & Other Retirement Benefits Sub Major Head : 01 - Civil Minor Head : 110-Pension of Employees of Local Bodies Sub Head : (02)- Pensions of State Autonomous Bodies/State Detailed Head : 02-Pension to Employees of MKVIB/State Object Head : (31)-Grants-in-aid General Further it may also be noted that as per the present VLC system of reporting, all reports will show up to the Sub-Head level only.”

7. The letter No. G/940/2026-Budget-FD dated 07.09.2026 issued by the Under Secretary to the Government of Mizoram, Finance Department (Budget) and the letter No. 5-Appn/New Head (1-19)/2025-26/166 dated 07.10.2026 issued by the Sr. Accounts Officer, Office of the Accountant General, Mizoram, are made a part of the record and marked as Annexure-‘X’ and ‘Y’ respectively. 8 In view of the above letters dated 07.09.2026 (Annexure-X) and 07.10.2026 (Annexure-Y), this Court is of the view that the present two writ petitions can be closed. However, in view of the petitioners not having approached the State respondents, prior to filing the present two writ petitions, with regard to their prayer for grant of arrear pensions in terms of the 2002 Regulations, this Court is of the view that the petitioners should first approach the State respondents with their prayer.

9. Accordingly, the present writ petitions are closed, in view of Annexure-X & Y, with liberty being given to the petitioners to file a representation to the respondent authorities, with their prayer for grant of arrear pension as per the 2002 Regulations.

10. If a representation is filed by the petitioners, the same should be disposed of by the State respondents, within a reasonable period and preferably within a period of 2 (two) months from the date of receipt of the said representation along with the certified copy of this order.

11. Writ Petitions are accordingly disposed of.

JUDGE Comparing Assistant