PATNA, India, Nov. 24 -- Patna High Court issued the following judgment on Nov. 1:

Heard learned Advocate for the petitioners and the learned Standing Counsel 24.

2. The petitioners were appointed as Teachers on contractual basis under the National Child Labour Special School scheme on honorarium of Rs. 1500/- per month. On account of non payment of their honorarium, the petitioners along with others had approached this Court in CWJC No. 16145 of 2016 which came to be disposed of on 06.03.2018 with a direction to the District Magistrate, Araria to consider the grievance of the writ petitioners within a period of three months. The petitioners in pursuant to the order afore noted, filed representation before the District Magistrate, Araria. However, the claim of the petitioners for honorarium for the period 2013- 2016 did not find favour and the petitioners along with others were allowed honorarium only for the period April, 2009 to March, 2010.

3. The petitioners after a delay of seven years, now approached this Court assailing the order dated 07.06.2018 passed by the District Magistrate, Araria. It is the contention of the petitioners that despite the order impugned came to be passed long back in the year 2018 accepting the claim of the petitioners for honorarium for the period April, 2009 to March, 2010,till date it has also not been paid.

4. Learned Counsel for the State, at the outset, opposes the prayer of the petitioners on the ground of delay and laches as the petitioners have approached this Court after a delay of more than seven years without plausible explanation, except filing of repeated representation. So far the admissible honorarium for the period April, 2009 to March, 2010 is concerned, it is submitted that an instruction is required.

5. Having considered the submissions and taking note of the fact that the impugned order dated 07.06.2018 is put to challenge after a delay of seven years, this Court does not feel inclined to entertain the writ petition. However, it is made clear that the honorarium having been allowed in favour of the petitioner for the period April, 2009 to March, 2010 as also the claim of which was duly accepted under the impugned order dated 06.03.2018, the petitioners shall be at liberty to file a representation before the respondent No. 3, the District Magistrate, Araria, who shall look into the matter and ensure payment of the admissible honorarium, if the same has not been done till date, preferably within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this order.

6. The writ petition stands disposed.

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