K.R.Govindarajan v. The Tamilnadu State Transport

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 26.02.2024

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN K.R.Govindarajan

...Petitioner

-Vs1. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd, Coimbatore Division I Rep.by its Managing Director, No.37, Mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore.

2. The Administrator, Tamil Nadu Pension Trust, Pallavan Salai, Chennai.

... Respondents Prayer : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the first respondent herein to pay interest for the delayed payments made with respect of Commutation and Gratuity.

For Petitioner : Mr.D.Anand Raja For R1 : Mr.C.Gouthamaraj Standing Counsel For R2 : Mr.C.S.K.Sathish

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed for a direction directing the respondent to pay appropriate interest to the petitioner for the delayed sanction and disbursement of retirement benefits.

2. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side 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 disbursement, as

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

4. This Court is of the view that the first 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 first 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 a copy of this order.

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

26.02.2024 Internet: Yes Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non Speaking order Lpp G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN. J,

Lpp To

1. The Managing Director, The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd, Coimbatore Division I No.37, Mettupalayam Road, Coimbatore.

2. The Administrator, Tamil Nadu Pension Trust, Pallavan Salai, Chennai.

26.02.2024