A.Balakrishnan, (Di), v. The Managing Director,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 27.06.2016
CORAM
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE B.RAJENDRAN W.P.No. 21958 of 2016 A.Balakrishnan .. Petitioner Vs.
1.The Managing Director Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Villupuram) Limited Vazhuthareddy, Villupuram-605 602.
2.The General Manager Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Villupuram) Limited Cuddalore Region Cuddalore - 607 001.
3.The Administrator Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Employees Post Retirement Welfare Fund Scheme Thiruvalluvar House Pallavan Salai Chennai-600 002.
.. Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, to direct the respondents to settle the petitioner's retirement benefits including Gratuity, Commutation, EL Surrender and settle the arrears etc. with interest at the rate of not less than 18% per annum payable from the date of retirement and consequently, direct the respondents to pay interest at the rate of 18% per annum for the belated settlement of retirement benefits to the petitioner payable from the date of retirement, i.e.31.03.2014 to till date of actual payment to the petitioner within the stipulated time. For Petitioner :
Mr.T.Pappaiah Dharmarajan For Respondents :
Mr.S.Sairaman Standing Counsel for Transport Corporation
ORDER
By consent, the Writ Petition is taken up and disposed of at the stage of admission itself.
2. The petitioner joined the service of the Transport Corporation and he retired from service on 31.03.2014. On the date of retirement, he was paid certain amount towards Provident Fund. But, other retirement terminal benefits, like Gratuity, Commutation, Leave Surrender (Earned Leave & Medical Leave) and Settlement Arrears were not paid to him. In this regard, he made a representation to the 1st respondent on 06.06.2016. The grievance of the petitioner is that though he made a representation to the first respondent, till date, there was no response. Aggrieved against the same, the present Writ Petition has been filed.
3. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, brought to the notice of this Court the common judgment, dated 12.06.2015, passed by the Madurai Bench of this Court in W.A.(MD) Nos.383 to 457 of 2015, wherein under similar circumstances, the Transport Corporation undertook to pay the amount due and payable to the petitioners therein in twelve equal monthly instalments. He would further submit that following the same, this Court has passed similar orders in several Writ Petitions. Accordingly, he would pray that a similar order may be passed in this Writ Petition also.
4. The learned Standing Counsel, who took notice on behalf of the respondents, would affirm that the issue involved in this Writ Petition is squarely covered by the judgment passed by the Madurai Bench of this Court in W.A.(MD) Nos.383 to 457 of 2015, dated 12.06.2015 and the relevant portion of the said judgment reads as follows:- "2. The said statement is thus taken on records and the respondents will be bound by the same. We have to keep in mind the judicial pronouncement of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in D.D.Tewari (D)through LRS. Vs. Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd and Others (2014
(9) SCALE -78), wherein it is held that in case of any delay in making the payment of the instalments, the interest payable would become 18% p.a., for the delayed period apart from any other remedy which may be available to the appellants for non-compliance of undertaking given to this Court.
3. The instalments to be paid from July 2015 and each instalments should be paid on or before 7th of each month."
5. Considering the fact that the issue involved in this Writ Petition is squarely covered by the orders passed by this Court in similar circumstances, without going into the merits of the matter, the first and second respondents are directed to disburse the aforementioned retiral benefits to the petitioner in twelve equal monthly instalments, in the
light of the common judgment passed by this Court in W.A.(MD) Nos.383 to 457 of 2015 (K.Rajendran & Others vs. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Madurai) Limited, rep. by its Managing Director, Madurai and others), dated 12.06.2015. It is also made clear that the first instalment shall commence from 01.09.2016.
6. With the above direction, the Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.
ogy Sd/- Asst.Registrar /true copy/ Sub Asst. Registrar To 1.The Managing Director Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Villupuram) Limited Vazhuthareddy, Villupuram-605 602.
2.The General Manager Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Villupuram) Limited Cuddalore Region Cuddalore - 607 001.
3.The Administrator Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Employees Post Retirement Welfare Fund Scheme Thiruvalluvar House Pallavan Salai Chennai-600 002.
+1 CC to Mr.T.Pappaiah Dharmarajan, Advocate SR.No.35861/16 CO-SR ths : 05.08.2016 W.P.No. 21958 of 2016