S.P.Balan v. The Managing Director
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 11.09.2025
CORAM:
THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA and WMP.No.38252 of 2025 1.
S.P.Balan 2.
V.Thinakaran 3.
A.Anbukkarasu 4.
C.Sundaram
...Petitioners
Vs.
1.
The Managing Director, Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) Ltd., Pallavan Illam, No.2, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
2.
The Administrator, Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation Employees Pension Fund Trust, No.2, Pallavan Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
...Respondents
Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to pay 10% interest for the belated payment of terminal benefits such as Provident Fund, Gratuity, Leave salary and commutation of pension amount to the petitioners. 1/7
For Petitioners : Mr.S.T.Varadarajalu For Respondents : Mr.A.Vinoth Raj, Standing Counsel
ORDER
This Writ petition has been filed seeking to direct the respondents to disburse interest at the rate of 10%, for the belated payment of terminal benefits such as Provident Fund, Gratuity, Leave salary and commutation of pension amount to the petitioners.
2. Mr.A.Vinoth Raj, learned Standing Counsel takes notice on behalf of the respondents. In view of the consent expressed by the learned counsel on either side, this Writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
3. Heard the learned counsel on either side and perused the materials available on record.
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4. Learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that the petitioners joined the services of the 1st respondent corporation as Conductors and Drivers during the year 1986-1997 and at the time of retirement, they were holding the posts of Special Grade Conductors and Drivers and they retired from service, on completion of about 30 years of continuous service in the respondents corporation. After retirement the respondents did not settle terminal benefits such as P.F amount, Gratuity, Leave Salary and commutation of pension in time. P.F, Gratuity, Leave Salary and commutation of pension immediately and the same was settled belatedly after 21 to 22 months, for which period, the petitioners are entitled to get interest at the rate of 10%. Thereby, the petitioners sent representations on various dates seeking payment of interest for the belated payment, which evoked no response. Hence, the present writ petition is filed.
5. At this juncture, the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents 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 3/7
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, 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 retirement benefits, from the date of retirement till the date of actual disbursement of the terminal benefits to the petitioners, within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order.
7. Accordingly, this Writ petition stands disposed of. No costs. 11.09.2025 (2/2) skt Index : Yes/No Speaking order : Yes/No NCC : Yes/No 4/7
To:
1.
The Managing Director, Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) Ltd., Pallavan Illam, No.2, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
2.
The Administrator, Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation Employees Pension Fund Trust, No.2, Pallavan Salai, Chennai - 600 002.
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A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.
skt (2/2) 11.09.2025 6/7
WMP.No.38252 of 2025 in A.D.JAGADISH CHANDIRA, J.
In view of amendment to the Court fee rules, this petition is allowed, subject to payment of separate Court fee, within a period of two weeks, from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, if not already paid, failing which this order shall be applicable only to the first petitioner.
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