Panneerselvam, v. The Managing Director,
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED : 01.02.2016
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE T.RAJA W.P.No.3517 of 2016 1 Panneerselvam [ Petitioner ] Vs.
1 The Managing Director Vazhuthareddy, Villupuram-605 602.
2 The General Manager Vellore Region, Vellore.
3 The Administrator Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Employees Post Retirement Welfare Fund Scheme Thiruvallurvar House, Pallavan Salai Chennai-02 [ Respondents ] Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to settle the petitioner's retirement benefits including Leave Salary gratuity Dearness Allowance arrears and all other attendant retirement benefits etc. with interest at the rate of not less than 12% per annum payable from the date of retirement and consequently directing the respondents to pay interest at the rate of 12% per annum for the belated settlement of retirement benefits including the commuted value of pension social security scheme arrears provident Fund Refund of Institute of road transport arrears etc. to the petitioner payable from the date of retirement ie. 31.02.2014 to till date of actual payment to the petitioner within a time limit that may be stipulated by this Hon'ble Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.P.Veeranaryanan For Respondents : Mr.P.Kannan Kumar
O R D E R
Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr.P.Kannan Kumar, who took notice for the respondents and with their consent, the main writ petition itself is taken up for hearing.
2.This is an unfortunate case for the reason that though the petitioner has attained the age of superannuation and retired from service on 31.1.2014, he is yet to be conferred with terminal benefits.
3.A perusal of the affidavit filed in support of this writ petition would disclose that the petitioner on the date of retirement was working as a Special Grade Conductor and on the date of his retirement, he was paid with provident fund only and other retirement/ terminal benefits namely, gratuity, commutation, leave surrender and other benefits, aggregating to a sum of Rs.10 Lakhs/- are yet to be settled. 4.It is further stated by the petitioner that in similar facts and circumstances, the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court vide judgment dated 12.06.2015 made in W.A.(M.D) Nos.383 to 457 of 2015, has passed the following order: "The learned Additional Advocate General submits that he has obtained written instructions vide letter No.7945/E/2015-2 dated 11/6/2015 that the terminal benefits of the appellants would be settled through twelve equal monthly instalments, carrying interest of 6% p.a.
2. The said statement is thus taken on record and the respondents will be bound by the same. We have to keep in mind the judicial pronouncement of the Honourable Supreme Court in D.D.TEWARI (D) THR. LRS. Vs. UTTAR HARYANA BIJLI VITRAN NIGAM LTD & ORS {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.
4. The writ appeals are disposed of accordingly. No costs. Consequently, the connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed."
5.The petitioner prayed for similar relief and in this regard also submitted a representation dated 20.07.2014, and since he is yet to be favoured with any kind of response, came forward to file this writ petition.
6.It is well settled position of law that the terminal benefits are legal entitlement of the retired employees and the duty is cast upon the respondent Corporation to settle the same on time. However, this Court is repeatedly coming across cases wherein the respondent Corporation is not settling the terminal benefits on time and thereby, driving the employees every time to get the settled relief. Therefore, the practice adopted by the respondent Corporation is deprecated.
7.This Court taking into consideration the present facts and circumstances, directs the respondent to consider the petitioner's representation dated 14.01.2016 on merits and in accordance with law in the light of the judgment of the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court dated 12.06.2015 made in W.A.Nos.383 to 457 of 2015 and pass orders within a period of six 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. 8.This Court hopes and trusts that the respondent Corporation without driving the retired employees from pillar to post to get their retired terminal benefits, shall make every endeavour to settle the terminal benefits on time. 9.Registry is directed to mark a copy of this order to the Secretary to Government, Transport Department, Fort St.George, Chennai 600 009.
-s/dAssistant Registrar True Copy Sub-Assistant Registrar ajr To 1 The Managing Director Vazhutharedy, Villupuram-605 602.
2 The General Manager Vellore Region, Vellore.
3 The Administrator Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Employees Post Retirement Welfare Fund Scheme Thiruvallurvar House, Pallavan Salai, Chennai-02
4. The Secretary to the Government Transport Department Fort St.George Chennai-09 +2 ccs to Mr.P.Kannan Kumar Advocate sr.6951 +1 cc to Mr.P.Veera Narayanan Advocate sr6061 W.P.No.3517 of 2016 aa11/03/2016