S.Selvaraj, (Staff No.17730) v. Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Coimbatore) Ltd

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 06.06.2024 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY W.P.Nos.14639, 14642, 14647, 14651, 14654 & 14656 of 2024 [W.P.No.14639 of 2024] S.Selvaraj ..

Petitioner Vs.

Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Coimbatore) Ltd. Rep. by its Managing Director Mettupalayam Road Coimbatore - 641 043.

..

Respondent Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for a writ of mandamus, directing the respondent to pay him interest for the belated payment of P.F, earned leave salary and Gratuity and to pay him a sum of Rs.18,500/- towards the STERBS (State Transport Employees Retirement Benefit Scheme), which was deducted from his salary for every month, while he was in service, together with interest at the rate of 18% per annum. For the Petitioners in all W.Ps :

Mr.R.Krishnaswamy For the Respondents in all W.Ps :

Mr.C.Gowtham Raj Standing Counsel

COMMON ORDER These Writ Petitions are filed seeking for a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondent to pay interest for the belated payment of terminal benefits, that are already paid to the petitioners, within a specified time as may be fixed by this Court.

2. Mr.C.Gowthamaraj, learned Counsel takes notice for the respondent. He would submit that the eligible amount will be paid to the petitioners within a reasonable time as may be fixed by this Court.

3. Learned Counsel for the petitioners submits that, in these cases, this Court has consistently allowed the payment with interest at the rate of 6% per annum.

4. In that view of the matter, this Writ Petition is disposed of on the following terms:

(i) The respondent is directed to pay interest on the belated payment of terminal benefits at the

rate of 6 % per annum, from the date on which the amount became due, till the date of disbursement, within a period of twelve (12) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order;

(ii) If the amount is not paid within a period of twelve (12) weeks, thereafter, the interest shall be calculated at the rate of 12% per annum from the date on which the amount became due till the date of disbursement.

(iii) There shall be no order as to costs.

06.06.2024 Index : Yes/No drm To:

1. The Managing Director Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Coimbatore) Ltd. Mettupalayam Road Coimbatore - 641 043.

D.BHARATHA CHAKRAVARTHY,J.

(drm) 06.06.2024