Discretionary reward under departmental scheme cannot be claimed as of right, and writ review will not reassess the quantum fixed.

The reward scheme treated payment as an ex gratia reward, payable only at the absolute discretion of the competent authority. In fixing the amount, the authority could consider the specificity and accuracy of the information, the risk undertaken, the help rendered, and the extent of assistance in detecting duty evasion. Because the quantum depended on this discretionary assessment of relevant factors, the petitioner could not claim reward as a matter of right or insist on a fixed percentage. A writ court would not ordinarily reappraise that discretionary determination, so the challenge to the amount of reward was not maintainable in writ jurisdiction.

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Issues: Whether the petitioner could, in writ jurisdiction, claim reward under the departmental scheme as a matter of right and challenge the quantum fixed by the competent authority.

Analysis: The reward scheme treated the payment as an ex gratia reward payable only within the absolute discretion of the authority competent to grant it. The scheme also required the authority to consider multiple relevant factors, including the specificity and accuracy of the information, the risk undertaken, the help rendered, and the overall assistance in detecting duty evasion. In these circumstances, the determination of the quantum involved discretion and assessment of relevant considerations, which were not suitable for reconsideration in writ proceedings.

Conclusion: The petitioner had no enforceable right to claim reward at a fixed percentage, and the challenge to the amount of reward was not maintainable in writ jurisdiction.

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