M.Balakrishnan v. The Managing Director
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 22.07.2025
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE C.KUMARAPPAN M.Balakrishnan ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Managing Director, Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation [VPM] Ltd., Cuddalore Region, No.3/137, Salamedu, Valudhareddy Post, Villupuram - 605 602.
2.The Administrator, Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation Employees Post Retirement Welfare Fund Trust, Tiruvalluvar House, Pallavan Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
... Respondents Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to pay the interest to the petitioner at the rate of 8% per annum for the belated payment of retirement benefits for the period of 31.07.2022 to 23.05.2023 i.e., 297 days on Provident Fund, Gratuity, Surrender Leave Amount, Commuted Pension and other retirement benefits, within a specified time. 1/6
For Petitioner : M/s.Yash Rathi R For R1 : M/s.S.Pavithra Standing Counsel For R2 : Mr.C.S.K.Sathish Standing Counsel
O R D E R
By consent of both the learned counsel for the parties, the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal, at the admission stage itself.
2. The instant writ petition has been filed with a prayer for issuing a Mandamus, directing the respondents to pay the interest to the petitioner at the rate of 8% per annum for the belated payment of retirement benefits for the period of 31.07.2022 to 23.05.2023 i.e., 297 days on Provident Fund, Gratuity, Surrender Leave Amount, Commuted Pension and other retirement benefits, within a specified time.
3. Heard the learned counsel for both sides and perused the materials available on record.
4. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the 2/6
petitioner has joined in the services of the 1st Respondent-Transport Corporation as Conductor on 12.09.1997 and after rendering 25 years of unblemished service and on attaining the age of superannuation, he retired from service on 31.07.2022 as Special Grade Conductor. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that though he retired from service during 2022, the respondents settled his terminal benefits only on 23.05.2023, after a delay of 297 days. However, no interest has been paid for the belated payment. In this connection, the petitioner has sent a representation on 13.01.2025 to the 1st respondent and such representation is yet to be considered by the 1st respondent. Therefore, the present Writ Petition has been filed.
5. At this juncture, the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the 1st respondent would submit that in view of the similar orders passed by this Court in W.P.Nos. 40031, 33742 and 35806 of 2024, they are willing to pay the interest at the rate of 6% per annum for the belated payment of the eligible and admissible amount.
6. In view of the above submission of the learned Standing Counsel, 3/6
this Court deems it appropriate to direct the respondents to pay the interest at the rate of 6% per annum upon the delayed payment of retirements benefits, from the date of retirement till the date of actual disbursal of the terminal benefits to the petitioner, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order.
7. With the above direction, the Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs. 22.07.2025 Index : Yes/No Speaking order /Non Speaking Order dm 4/6
To 1.The Managing Director, Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation [VPM] Ltd., Cuddalore Region, No.3/137, Salamedu, Valudhareddy Post, Villupuram - 605 602.
2.The Administrator, Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation Employees Post Retirement Welfare Fund Trust, Tiruvalluvar House, Pallavan Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
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C.KUMARAPPAN, J.
dm 22.07.2025 6/6