Madras High CourtWP(MD)/638/2020ordered

K.Ramakrishnan v. The Management Of

2020-01-10Honourable Mr Justice M.S. Ramesh3 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 10.01.2020

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.S.RAMESH K.Ramakrishnan ... Petitioner /vs./ The Management of Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Kumbakonam) Ltd., Karaikudi Region, Rep. by its General Manager, Karaikudi.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of writ of mandamus, to direct the respondent to pay the petitioner arrears of wages payable for the period from the month of January, 2018 to March, 2018, together with 18% interest p.a, after correctly arriving at the monthly wages by taking into account the enhanced rate of dearness allowance as ordered/fixed for the period from 01.01.2018 to 30.06.2018 in the G.O.Ms.No.123 dated 11.04.2018, Finance (Allowance) Department and also to revise his terminal benefits, namely gratuity and encashment of 207 days of earned leaves based on such wages payable to him on the month of his retirement i.e., March, 2018 and accordingly to pay him balance/arrears of gratuity and encashment of earned leave days, together with 18% interest p.a within a time frame as may be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.S.Arunachalam For Respondent : Mr.D.Sivaraman Standing Counsel

ORDER

By consent of both parties, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the stage of admission itself.

2. Though the petitioner has sought for issuance of writ of mandamus to direct the respondent to pay the arrears of wages to him payable for the period from the month of January, 2018 to March, 2018, together with 18% interest p.a, after correctly arriving at the monthly wages by taking into account the enhanced rate of dearness allowance as ordered/fixed for the period from 01.01.2018 to 30.06.2018 in the G.O.Ms.No.123 dated 11.04.2018, Finance (Allowance) Department and also to revise his terminal 1/3

benefits, namely gratuity and encashment of 207 days of earned leaves based on such wages payable to him on the month of his retirement i.e., March, 2018 and accordingly to pay him balance/arrears of gratuity and encashment of earned leave days, together with 18% interest p.a , in my view, such a decision is to be taken by the respondents and in case, the petitioner is aggrieved against such any decision, it would be appropriate to approach this Court.

3. The petitioner would submit that he has already made representation on 15.10.2019 in this regard, which is said to be pending. If the said representation is directed to be disposed of within stipulated time, the ends of justice could be secured.

4. Whenever a representation is made to a statutory authority to redress the claim of the employee, there is a duty cast upon the respondents to consider the same on its own merits and pass appropriate orders in one way or other, instead of keeping the same pending indefinitely. Such an inaction would amount to dereliction of duties and thereby this Court would be justified in invoking its extraordinary powers under Article 226 of Constitution of India and thereby direct such authority to consider the representation within the stipulated time.

5. In view of the above observations, there shall be a direction to the respondent herein to consider the petitioner's representation, dated 15.10.2019, in the light of G.O.Ms.No.123, Finance (Allowance) Department, dated 11.04.2018, on its own merits and pass appropriate orders within a period of eight (8) weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. It is made clear that this Court has not expressed any of its view with regard to the claim made by the petitioner in his representation and it is for the respondents to consider it in accordance with law.

6. With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar(Records) // True Copy // / /2020 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) cp 2/3

To:

The General Manager, Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Kumbakonam) Ltd., Karaikudi Region, Karaikudi.

+1 CC to M/s.D.SIVARAMAN, Advocate ( SR-1476[F] dated 10/01/2020 ) Order made in W.P.(MD)No.638 of 2020 GRL(CO) TR(04.02.2020) 3P 3C 3/3