K.Rajendran v. The Management Of

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 04.02.2025

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE BATTU DEVANAND K.Rajendran ... Petitioner Vs.

The Management of State Express Transport Corporation (Tamilnadu) Limited, Rep. by its Managing Director, Pallanvansalai, Chennai - 2.

... Respondent PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to pay the petitioner interest at the rate of 18% per annum, for the period of delay from 01.01.2023 to 29.10.2024, in paying the amounts paid towards his terminal benefits namely EPF Employee's contribution, Gratuity and Encashment of Leaves within a time frame as may be fixed by this Court and without affecting his right to claim balance amounts towards those benefits.

For Petitioner : Mr.S.Arunachalam For Respondent : Mr.K.Senthil Kumar Standing Counsel 1/4

O R D E R

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a writ of mandamus directing the respondent to pay interest at the rate of 18% per annum for the period of delay in paying the amount paid towards his terminal benefits namely EPF, Gratuity and encashment of leave within a time frame that may be fixed by this Court without affecting the right to claim the balance amount towards those benefits.

2. The petitioner was appointed as Conductor in the respondent Corporation on 06.04.1989 and he retired from service on 31.12.2022. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner's terminal benefits was not settled immediately and there is an abnormal delay.

3. In view of the same, the only issue to be considered in this Writ Petition is with regard to interest payable on the belated settlement. This issue was dealt with by this Court on various occasions and this Court passed orders in several Writ Petitions. In fact, the issue involved in this writ petition is no longer res-integra.

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4. This Court in W.P(MD)No.4866 of 2023 (C.MuruganVs. the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Tirunelveli) Ltd., and Another) by order dated 07.03.2023 has decided this issue.

5. Accordingly, by following the order stated supra, this Writ Petition is allowed with the following direction:

The respondent shall pay interest to the petitioner at the rate of 6% per annum on the belated payment of the retirement benefits commencing from the date of retirement, till date of actual disbursement, within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

4. No costs.

04.02.2025 NCC:yes/no Index:yes/no Internet:yes/no Sn To:

The Managing Director, The Management of State Express Transport Corporation (Tamilnadu) Limited, Pallanvansalai, Chennai - 2.

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BATTU DEVANAND , J.

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