R.Thangamani, v. The Tamil Nadu State Transport

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 23.09.2015

CORAM

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE T.RAJA W.P(MD)No.17193 of 2015 R.Thangamani .. Petitioner Vs.

1.The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Madurai) Ltd., Rep. by its Managing Director, Bye-pass Road, Madurai.

2.The Administrator, The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Pension Fund Trust, Thiruvalluvar House, Pallavan Salai, Chennai-600 002.

..Respondents Prayer :

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to settle retirement benefits of the petitioner including gratuity, social security scheme amount, commuted value of pension, leave salary, post retirement benefit scheme arrears and all other attendant benefits with interest at the rate of 18% per annum within the time that may be stipulated by this Court and pass such further or other orders.

For Petitioner : Mr.A.Rahul For Respondents : Mr.A.P.Muthupandian

ORDER

The petitioner/R.Thangamani has filed the present Writ Petition seeking a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to settle retirement benefits of the petitioner including gratuity, social security scheme amount, commuted value of pension, leave salary, post retirement benefit scheme arrears and all other attendant benefits with interest at the rate of 18% per annum.

2. The petitioner, who joined the Transport Corporation as conductor on 06.12.1987, after getting promotion to the post of Special Grade Conductor, had retired from service with effect from

31.05.2015 and he was also settled with the part of the retirement benefits. However, the following retirement benefits have not been settled:- Sl.No.

Particulars Amount 1.

Gratuity Rs.5,02,578/- 2.

Earned Leave Salary Rs. 84,000/- 3.

Social Security Scheme Amount Rs. 20,000/- 4.

Commuted value of pension Rs.2,18,081/- 5.

Post retirement benefit scheme arrears Rs. 3,000/- Total Rs.8,27,659/- Therefore, the petitioner has come up before this Court.

3. In similar circumstances, the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court while disposing of the batch of writ appeals in W.A(MD)Nos.383 to 457 of 2015, by an order dated 12.06.2015 issued a direction to pay the retirement benefits by way of instalments. The relevant portion of the said judgment reads as follows:- "2.The said statement is thus taken on records 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 learned counsel appearing for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner's case may be considered in the light of the above said decision, since the issue involved in this writ petition has already been answered in the above said decision by the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court.

5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case and also considering the fact that the issue involved in this writ petition has already been answered by the Hon'ble Division Bench of this

Court, the Writ Petition is disposed of in the light of the above said decision. Accordingly, the retirement benefits of the petitioner are directed to be settled by way of instalments and the first instalments to be paid from December 2015 and each of the instalments should be paid on or before 7th of each month till the entire payment is made. No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar(AS) /True Copy/ Sub Assistant Registrar To 1.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Madurai) Ltd., Bye-pass Road, Madurai.

2.The Administrator, The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Pension Fund Trust, Thiruvalluvar House, Pallavan Salai, Chennai-600 002.

+1cc to Mr.A.Rahul, Advocate Sr.No.56205 +1cc to Mr.A.P.Muthupandian, Advocate Sr.No.56546 akm/19.10.2015 /3p-5c/ W.P(MD)No.17193 of 2015 23.09.2015