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Madras High CourtWP/5783/2022disposed of

K.Angamuthu v. The Management Of

2022-03-15Honourable Mr Justice D. Krishnakumar3 pages

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED : 15.03.2022

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE D.KRISHNAKUMAR W.P.No.5783 of 2022 K.Angamuthu

...Petitioner

Vs.

The Management of Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Kovai) Ltd, Coimbatore Region, Represented by its Managing Director, Coimbatore.

...Respondent

PRAYER: This Writ Petition has been filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue writ of mandamus, to direct the respondent to pay the amount payable to the petitioner towards the encashment of 60 days of earned leaves, surrendered by him in the years before his retirement as admitted by the respondent, either based on his monthly wages of the respective months of surrender of those earned leaves, together with 18% interest p.a. from the respective due dates or based on the monthly wages payable on the month of his retirement, together with 18% interest from the date of his retirement, within a time frame as may be fixed by this Court.

For Petitioner : Mr.V.Ajay Khose For Respondent : Mr.A.Sundharavadanan Standing Counsel

O R D E R

This writ petition has been filed to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to pay the amount for encashment of Earned Leave, surrendered by the petitioner, with interest.

2. The case of the petitioner in brief:

The petitioner was working as Driver in the respondent's Corporation and retired from service on 30.06.2017 on reaching the age of superannuation as Special Grade Driver. As per Section 12(3) of the Industrial Dispute Act, 1947, every workman can surrender 15 days of earned leaves, once in every calendar

year and get encashment for the same. Before retirement, the petitioner surrendered Earned Leave for encashment. But the respondent did not pay the amount, citing financial crisis. Though the respondent agreed under RTI Act that they are liable to pay the amount of Rs.35,845/- for encashment of 60 days Earned Leave, they did not come forward to pay the amount that too after passing of four years from the date of retirement. In this regard, the petitioner made a representation dated 22.10.2021 to the respondent. However, it was not considered. Hence this writ petition.

3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner has sent representation through RPAD to pay the amount of Rs.35,845/- towards encashment of Earned Leave, surrendered by the petitioner with interest. However, the respondent have not paid the amount. Hence, the respondent may be directed to pay the amount with interest.

4. The learned standing counsel appearing for the respondent's Corporation fairly submitted that due to financial crisis, the respondent has not paid the amount for encashment of Earned Leave, surrendered by the petitioner. He further submitted that, the petitioner is entitled for interest only at the rate of 4% p.a. for the belated payment.

5. In view of the above submissions and with the consent of both the parties, this court is inclined to pass orders.

6. Accordingly, it is ordered as follows.

i) The respondent is directed to pay the amount of Rs.35,845/- for encashment of Earned Leave, surrendered by the petitioner, with penal interest at the rate of 4% per annum, within a period of twelve weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, ii) It is also made clear that in default to pay the amount within the above said period, the respondent-Corporation shall have to pay the interest amount at the rate of 6% per annum to the petitioner.

7. With the above directions, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs.

s/d- Assistant Registrar True Copy Sub-Assistant Registrar

To The Managing Director, Management of Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Kovai) Ltd, Coimbatore Region, Coimbatore.

+1 CC to Mr.A.Sundharavadanan, Advocate sr 18111 +1 CC to Mr. Ajay Khose, Advocate sr 17600.

W.P. No. 5783/2022 MG(CO) SP(30/03/2022)