Shanmugavel.V v. Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd.,
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED :20.07.2021
CORAM
THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE V.M.VELUMANI V.Shanmugavel ... Petitioner Vs.
1.The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd., Rep. by its Managing Director, Madurai Division, Bye Pass Road, Madurai-625 016.
2.The General Manager, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd., Dindigul Region, Chettinayakkanpatti Post, Dindigul-624 004.
3.The Administrator, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Employees Pension Fund Trust, Thiruvalluvar Illam, Pallavan Salai, Chennai-2.
... Respondents RAYER:
Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to pay 18% interest for the belated payment of terminal benefits of P.F., Gratuity, Commutation and Un-availed Leave Salary payable to the petitioner from the date of his retirement ie., 30.06.2019 to till the date of actual payment made to him ie., 22.01.2021 and all other attendant benefits to him. For Petitioner : Mr.A.K.Thangavelu For Respondents : Mr.J.Senthil Kumaraiah Standing Counsel, For R1 & R2 Mr.A.Swaminatham, Standing Counsel, For R3.
ORDER
Mr.J.Senthil Kumaraiah, learned Standing Counsel takes notice for the respondents 1 & 2 and Mr.A.Swaminathan, learned Standing Counsel for the third respondent.
2. By consent, the Writ Petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
3.The petitioner's retirement benefits were settled belatedly and in view of such belated settlement, this writ petition has been filed seeking for interest on the belated payment of the terminal benefits.
1/3
4. It is brought to the notice of this Court that in an identical case of batch of writ petitions entertained by this Court, directions have been issued to the respondents to pay the interest at the rate of 6% on the belated payment of the terminal benefits. This Court does not intend to deviate from the said procedure. 5.The learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents would submit that in view of the financial burden cast on the respondent corporation, they may be permitted to pay the interest on the belated payment in a liberal monthly installments.
6. I am not in agreement with the said representation made. There was already a duty cast on the respondent corporation to pay the terminal benefits on the date of retirement itself and the very fact that the belated disbursement of retirement benefit, would already put the retired employee to serious prejudice. Entertaining the said request for disbursement of the interest on the belated payment in installments, could cause further prejudice to the retired employees.
7. In the light of the above observations, there shall be a direction to the respondents to pay the penal interest at the rate of 6% per annum on the belated payment of the retirement benefits for the period from the date of the retirement till the date of actual disbursement, as expeditiously as possible and in any event, within a period of four months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
8.With the above directions, this Writ Petition is disposed of. No costs.
Sd/- Assistant Registrar (CSIi) // True Copy // / /2021 Sub Assistant Registrar(CS) am Note:In view of the present lock down owing to COVID-19 pandemic, a web copy of the order may be utilized for official purposes, but, ensuring that the copy of the order that is presented is the correct copy, shall be the responsibility of the advocate/litigant concerned.
2/3
TO 1.Managing Director, The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd., Madurai Division, Bye Pass Road, Madurai-625 016.
2.The General Manager, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd., Dindigul Region, Chettinayakkanpatti Post, Dindigul-624 004.
3.The Administrator, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Employees Pension Fund Trust, Thiruvalluvar Illam, Pallavan Salai, Chennai-2.
+1 CC to M/s.A.K.THANGAVELU, Advocate ( SR-23449[F] dated 22/07/2021 ) 20.07.2021 ARK(CO) KB(29.07.2021) 3P 5C 3/3