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6. On the other hand, learned counsel for Respondent Nos. 4 & 5 submits that, in order to provide insurance coverage to the teaching and non-teaching staff of the Board, an agreement was entered into between the State Government and the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) on 28.10.1977. Under this agreement, the premium for the policy was determined as per Group Insurance Policy No. 4521, which specifically covers the teachers and employees of the Board, as outlined in the agreement dated 28.10.1977. In accordance with the terms of the agreement, a letter dated 21.07.2011 was issued by the Director of Education (Basic) / Chairman of the Board, which fixed the monthly premium of Rs. 87/- (Eighty-Seven Rupees only) for the teachers of the Board. Additionally, in a letter dated 28.11.2018, issued by LIC and addressed to the Finance Controller (Basic Education), Basic Shiksha Parishad, U.P. Allahabad (Prayagraj), it was formally communicated that Group Insurance Policy No. 4521 would be closed with effect from 31.03.2014 in respect of the teachers and employees of the Board.

8. He further submits that the year-wise details of the premium deductions from the salaries of the teachers and employees of the Board in various districts have been compiled. In this regard, the Finance Controller, under its letter dated 27/06/2025, submitted a proposal to the State Government for the return of the aforementioned deducted premium amount of the teaching and non-teaching staff of the Board.

9. He further submits that the proposal sent under the letter dated 27/06/2025 for the return of the deducted premium amount under Group Insurance Policy No. 4521 is currently under consideration and process. The amount will be refunded to the concerned teachers and non-teaching staff of the Board, immediately after the proposal is accepted and approved by the State Government. Accordingly, the sum of Rs. 609/- (Six Hundred and Nine Rupees only) will also be refunded to the legal heirs of the deceased teacher, Smt. Poonam.

10. Upon careful examination of the records, it is abundantly clear that the petitioners are not entitled to any death claim under Group Insurance Policy No. 4521. The deceased, Smt. Poonam, was appointed as an Assistant Teacher in 2016, while the said policy had been closed by the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) in 2014, well before the petitioner's appointment. Even assuming that deductions were made post-closure, as the communications regarding the closure of the policy were received by the respondents only in 2018, such deductions do not confer entitlement to the benefits of the scheme. It is well settled that the eligibility for benefits under an insurance scheme is governed by the policy's terms and the period during which the policy was operational.

11. In view of the above, it is evident that the Group Insurance Policy No. 4521 had ceased to exist prior to Smt. Poonam's appointment, however, the deductions made from her salary shall be refunded. Therefore, no legal right or entitlement to the death benefits under the policy can arise in favor of the petitioners. Consequently, the petitioners' claim for the death benefits is untenable and must be rejected.

12. The respondents are prepared to refund the amount of Rs. 609/- (Six Hundred and Nine Rupees only) that was deducted from Smt. Poonam's salary during the period when the policy was active. The respondents acknowledge that these deductions were made while the policy was in force, and as such, the amount will be refunded to the legal heirs of the deceased teacher.