Mrs.V.Ranganayagi, v. The State Of Tamil Nadu,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 28.10.2015
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.SATHYANARAYANAN W.P.No.34177 of 2015 Mrs.V.Ranganayagi
...Petitioner
-Vs1. The State of Tamil Nadu, Rep. By its Secretary, Transport Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.
2. Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (VPM) Ltd., (Old Name PT MGR Transport Corporation Ltd.,) Rep. By its Managing Director, Kancheepuram Division, Kancheepuram.
3. The Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund, Regional Office, No.20, Royapettah High Road, Chennai - 600 014.
...Respondents
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus direct the 1st respondent to grant Family Pension and for payment of arrears of Family Pension to the petitioner from 21.11.2014, the day following the date of the death of the petitioner's husband by following the judgments in W.A.No.1246 of 2009 dated 18.08.2010 and W.P.No.33975 of 2005 dated 20.09.2011 and in in W.P.No.35674 of 2005 dated 20.09.2011 and W.P.No.25880 & 25881 of 2015 dated 20.08.2015.
For Petitioner : Mr.V.S.Jagadeesan For Respondents : Mr.R.Vijayakumar Additional Government Pleader for R1 Mr.V.Udaya Kumar for R2 Mr.T.R.Sundaram for R3
O R D E R
By consent, this Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal.
2. It is stated by the petitioner that her husband was appointed as a Conductor in the erstwhile State Transport Department on 01.01.1969. In the year 1972, various new Transport Corporations came to be formed. The petitioner's husband was absorbed in the service of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (VPM) Ltd., (previously known PT M.G.R. Transport Corporation Ltd.,) on 01.05.1975 and on attaining the age of superannuation, he retired from service on 30.04.1997. It is stated by the petitioner that her husband died on 20.11.2014 and he was also paid pension till the date of his demise and after his demise, she is entitled to get the family pension.
3. In terms of G.O.Ms.No.110, Transport Department, dated 06.06.2002, family pension was sanctioned to the families of erstwhile Tamil Nadu State Transport Department pensioners and vide G.O.Ms.No,189 Transport Department, dated 13.08.2004, the government has extended the benefit of family pension granted in G.O.Ms.No.110, Transport Department, dated 06.06.2002. In terms of G.O.Ms.No.42 of the said Department dated 27.05.2005, the pensionary benefits were extended to the erstwhile Tamil Nadu State Transport Department Employees, who have put in less than 10 years of Government service in Tamil Nadu State Transport Department by fixing the cut off date for claiming pension as 01.04.1982. It is the claim of the petitioner that her husband is eligible to receive the pension in terms of G.O.Ms.No.42, Transport Department dated 27.05.2005 and it is further stated by the petitioner that her husband died on 20.11.2014 and G.O.Ms.No.42 was issued on 27.05.2005 and consequently, he could not claim the pension during his lifetime.
4. In the similar facts and circumstances, the cut off date was put to challenge in W.P.No.35643 of 2007 and it was dismissed and the W.A.No.1246 of 2009 filed by the appellant/writ petitioner therein was allowed on 18.08.2010 and it was put to challenge by the Government in S.L.P.(Civil) C.C.No.8381 of 2011 and the same was also dismissed on 13.05.2011 and it was also given effect to by the first respondent in G.O.(3D)No.38, Transport Department dated 07.09.2011. Similarly two other wives, like the petitioner, have filed writ petitions and got favourable orders and the said orders were also implemented by the 1st respondent vide G.O.(3D) Nos.20 and 22, Transport (RW1) Department, dated 18.07.2013 and 25.07.2013 respectively and hence, there cannot be any impediment on the part of the respondent to pass appropriate orders and hence, came forward to file this writ petition.
5. Heard the submissions of Mr.R.Vijayakumar, learned Additional Government Pleader, who accepts notice on behalf of the 1st respondent, Mr.V.Udayakumar, learned counsel, who accepts notice on behalf of the 2nd respondent and Mr.T.R.Sundaram, learned counsel, who accepts notice on behalf of the third respondent.
6. In the light of the facts and circumstances, this Court directs the 1st respondent to consider and dispose of the petitioner's representation dated 06.10.2015 on merits and in accordance with law after taking note of the above cited Government Orders and pass orders within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and communicate the decision taken, to the petitioner.
The Writ Petition is disposed of accordingly. No costs. Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CS-III) //True Copy// Sub Assistant Registrar
vsm To
1. The Secretary, State of Tamil Nadu, Transport Department, Secretariat, Chennai - 600 009.
2. The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (VPM) Ltd., (Old Name PT MGR Transport Corporation Ltd.,) Kancheepuram Division, Kancheepuram.
3. The Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund, Regional Office, No.20, Royapettah High Road, Chennai - 600 014.
1 CC to Mr.V.S.Jagadeesan, Advocate SR.No. 58560 1 CC to the Government Pleader, SR.No. 59145 W.P.No.34177 of 2015 VSN (CO) PSI (24.11.2015)