M.Rajendran v. The Managing Director
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 26.07.2024
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN M.Rajendran ... Petitioner -Vs1.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Salem) Limited, No.12, Ramakrishna Road, Salem-636 007.
2.The General Manager, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Salem) Limited, Dharmapuri Region, Bharathipuram, Dharmapuri.
3. The Administrator, TNSTC Employees Pension Trust, Thiruvalluvar House, No.2, Pallavan Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
... Respondents Prayer:- Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of Constitution of India for the issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to disburse the interest for belated payment of provident Fund, Gratuity, Pension Commutation, Earned Leave Salary and Consequently direct the
Respondents to settle the unsettled benefits of leave encashment and 7 days Salary amount along with interest.
For Petitioner : Mr.J.Pradeep For R1 & R2 : Mr.K.Raja, Standing Counsel For R3 : Mr.C.S.K.Sathish
ORDER
This Writ Petition has been filed for direction directing the respondent to pay appropriate interest to the petitioner for the delayed sanction and disbursement of retirement benefits.
2. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.
3. In identical issues, this Court has passed various orders, justifying the payment of interest to the aggrieved pensioners and in the order dated 13.12.2019 in W.P.(MD) No.26481 of 2019, the following order came to be passed :- "5. I am not in agreement with the said representation made. There was already a duty cast on the respondent Corporation to pay the terminal benefits on the date of retirement itself and the very fact that the
belated disbursement of retirement benefit, had already put the retired employee to serious prejudice, entertaining the present request for disbursement of the interest on the belated payment in installments, could cause further prejudice to the retired employee.
6. In the light of the above observations, there shall be a direction to the respondent / Corporation to pay the penal interest at the rate of 6% per annum on the belated payment of the retirement benefits for the period from the date of the retirement, till the date of the actual disbursement, as expeditiously as possible and in any event, not before the expiry of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
4. This Court is of the view that the respondents could be directed to pay the interest on the belated payment, at the rate of 6% per annum, as ordered in the above writ petition.
5. In the light of the above findings, there shall be a direction to the respondents herein to pay the interest on the belated payment of the terminal benefits to the petitioner at the rate of 6% per
annum, commencing from the date of the retirement, till the date of actual disbursement, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
6. With the above direction, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.
26.07.2024 (1/3) Internet : Yes Index : Yes/No Speaking order/Non-speaking order Lpp To 1.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Salem) Limited, No.12, Ramakrishna Road, Salem-636 007.
2.The General Manager, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Salem) Limited, Dharmapuri Region, Bharathipuram, Dharmapuri.
3. The Administrator, TNSTC Employees Pension Trust, Thiruvalluvar House, No.2, Pallavan Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
G.K.ILANTHIRAIYAN, J.
Lpp 26.07.2024