Report No. 137

4.10. Payment of undisputed portion of claims.-

Sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 72 of the Scheme of 1952 specifically provides that if any portion of the amount which has become payable is in dispute or doubt, the Commissioner shall make prompt payment of that portion of the amount in regard to which there is no dispute or doubt, the balance being adjusted as soon as possible. A similar duty is cast upon the Trust in the case of exempted organisations.

In spite of the specific provision in this regard, instances are not lacking where in the case of a dispute regarding the correctness of the amount due, the authorities have failed to pay even the amount in respect of which there is no dispute, the provision as contained in sub-paragraph (2) of Paragraph 72 should be strictly complied with and the failure to do so should be treated as "major misconduct" entailing punishment including dismissal from service or reduction to lower rank.