T.Selvaraju v. The Managing Director

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 24.01.2024

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN T.Selvaraju ... Petitioner Vs.

The Managing Director, Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation, 37, Mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore 641 043 ... Respondent PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent to disburse the interest amount at the rate of 6% on the delayed retirement benefits paid to the petitioner by the respondent payable to him within the stipulated time to be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.A.Rajendiran For Respondent : Mr.C.Gowthamaraj, Standing Counsel

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed for direction to the respondent to pay appropriate interest to the petitioner for the delayed sanction and disbursement of retirement benefits. 1/4

2. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner and the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondent and perused the materials available on record.

3. In identical issues, this Court has passed various orders, justifying the payment of interest to the aggrieved pensioners and in the order dated 13.12.2019 in W.P.(MD).No.26481 of 2019, the following order came to be passed : - ''5. I am not in agreement with the said representation made. There was already a duty cast on the respondent Corporation to pay the terminal benefits on the date of retirement itself and the very fact that the belated disbursement of retirement benefit, had already put the retired employee to serious prejudice, entertaining the present request for disbursement of the interest on the belated payment in installments, could cause further prejudice to the retired employee.

6. In the light of the above observations, there shall be a direction to the respondent / Corporation to pay the penal interest at the rate of 6% per annum on the belated payment of the retirement benefits for the period from the date of the retirement, till the date of the actual 2/4

disbursement, as expeditiously as possible and in any event, not before the expiry of three month from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

4. This Court is of the view that the respondent could be directed to pay the interest on the belated payment, at the rate of 6% per annum, as ordered in the above writ petition.

5. In the light of the above findings, there shall be a direction to the respondent herein to pay the interest on the belated payment of the terminal benefits to the petitioner at the rate of 6% per annum, commencing from the date of the retirement, till the date of actual disbursement, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order.

6. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

24.01.2024 Internet: Yes Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order lok 3/4

G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.

lok To The Managing Director, Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation, 37, Mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore 641 043 24.01.2024 4/4