Madras High CourtWP(MD)/20623/2016disposed of

M.Paul Raj v. The Managing Directore,

2016-10-26Honourable Dr. Justice S. Vimala3 pages

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 26.10.2016

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE S.VIMALA W.P(MD)No.20623 of 2016 M.Paul Raj : Petitioner Vs.

1.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Tirunelveli) Ltd., Tirunelveli.

2.The General Manager, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Tirunelveli) Ltd., Ranithottam, Nagercoil - 629 001, Kanyakumari District. 3.The Managing Trustee, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Employees' Pension Fund Trust, Thiruvalluvar House, Pallavan Salai, Chennai - 600 002.

: Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to settle the petitioner's retirement benefits including Gratuity, Provident fund, Leave salary, dearness allowance arrears and all other attendant retirement benefits, etc., with interest at the rate of not less than 18% from the date of retirement namely 31.05.2016 and pay the same to the petitioner within the time frame to be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.N.S.Ramakrishna Dass For Respondents 1 and 2 : Mr.K.Sathiya Singh For Respondent No.3 : Mr.A.P.Muthupandian

O R D E R

You can be young without money but you can't be old without it. ..Tennessee Williams The petitioner was employed as Foreman in the respondent Corporation and he retired from service on 31.05.2016 on reaching the age of superannuation.

2.He has filed this writ petition seeking for a direction to the respondents to pay the retirement benefits. 3.The First Bench of this Court in similar matter has passed an order dated 12.06.2015 in W.A.(MD)Nos.383 to 457 of 2015, issuing direction to the transport Corporations to settle the terminal benefits of its employees in equal monthly installments and to pay 6% interest on the terminal benefits payable to the workman. The Bench has also held that workman is entitled to 18% interest for the defaulted period of installments. 4.In these circumstances, this writ petition is disposed of with the following directions:- i)A direction is issued to the transport corporation to settle the terminal benefits of the petitioner that are yet to be settled, in twelve equal monthly installments; ii)The first installment shall commence by making payment on or before the First Week of December, 2016 and the amount in each of the remaining installments shall be paid on or before 10th of every succeeding month;

iii)The said terminal amount shall carry interest @ 6% per annum, as per the Division Bench judgment referred to above. In case of delay in making installments, the interest payable could be 18% for the delayed period;

iv)The aforesaid direction to settle the terminal benefits would not preclude the workman to question the computation of any of the terminal benefits, if the same is paid lesser than the amount to which, he is entitled to receive. Likewise, if the petitioner has any grievance that he is entitled to interest for the amount already settled, he can agitate the same as per law, if he is entitled. No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar(CO) /True Copy/ Sub Assistant Registrar

To 1.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Tirunelveli) Ltd., Tirunelveli.

+1 cc to Mr.N.S.Ramakrishna Dass, Advocate SR.No.64278 +1 cc to M/s.K.Sathiya Singh, Advocate SR.No.64278 ORDER MADE IN W.P(MD)No.20623 of 20162 26.10.2016 SMA/CK/14.11.2016:3P/6C