Timely claim under a circular cannot be defeated by administrative inaction in processing a valid application.

A claim for 8% Cash Compulsory Support premium under Circular No. 11 was held maintainable because the application was filed on 26.07.1993, before the 31.07.1993 deadline prescribed by the circular. The authorities' failure to act promptly on the application could not defeat a claim made within time. On that basis, denial of the benefit was unjustified, and the High Court's grant of relief to the respondent was sustained.

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Issues: Whether the respondent was entitled to the grant of 8% Cash Compulsory Support premium under Circular No. 11 dated 05.05.1993, and whether the application made on 26.07.1993 was within time.

Analysis: Circular No. 11 dated 05.05.1993 required applications for relief to be made by 31.07.1993. The respondent's application was made on 26.07.1993 and was therefore within the prescribed time. The authorities' failure to take timely action on the application could not be used to defeat the respondent's claim.

Conclusion: The respondent's claim was maintainable and the denial of the benefit was unjustified.

Final Conclusion: The appeal failed and the relief granted by the High Court in favour of the respondent was sustained.

Ratio Decidendi: A claim made within the stipulated period under an applicable circular cannot be rejected on the basis of administrative inaction in processing the application.

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