In Brief
The State of Odisha challenged a tribunal and high court order directing it to sanction invalid pension to the widow of a deceased government employee who had not completed the mandatory ten-year qualifying service period. The Supreme Court held that the minimum qualifying service of ten years under Rules 47(2)(b) and 47(5)(i) of the Orissa Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1992 is a prerequisite for all types of pension, including invalid pension under Rule 39. The rules must be read harmoniously and as a whole. Since the employee failed to meet the qualifying service requirement, service gratuity (the statutory alternate relief) was the appropriate entitlement. The appeal was allowed and the impugned orders were set aside.">
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