R. Sundaram, v. The Managing Director,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 24.02.2016 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA Writ Petition (MD) Nos.3842 to 3845 of 2016 R.Sundaram ... Petitioner in W.P(MD)No.3842 of 2016 S.Nallaiya ... Petitioner in W.P(MD)No.3843 of 2016 C.Thirunavukkarasu ...

Petitioner in W.P(MD)No.3844 of 2016 K.Manickam ...

Petitioner in W.P(MD)No.3845 of 2016 Vs.

The Managing Director, The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Kumbakonam) Limited, New Railway Station Road, Kumbakonam.

... Respondent in W.P(MD)No.3842 of 2016 The Managing Director, The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Kumbakonam) Limited, New Railway Station Road, Kumbakonam 612 001 The Administrator, Tamil Nadu State Transport Employees Pension Fund Trust, Thiruvalluvar House, Pallavan Salai, Chennai 600 002.

... Respondents in W.P.Nos.3843, 3844 and 3845 of 2016 Prayer in W.P(MD)No.3842 of 2016:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to pay Gratuity and Leave Salary with 18% interest per annum to the petitioner within a stipulated period. Prayer in W.P(MD)No.3843 of 2016:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to pay 1) Pension Commutation 2) Gratuity 3) Leave Salary along with 18% interest to the Petitioner within the stipulated period.

Prayer in W.P(MD)No.3844 of 2016:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to pay 1) Gratuity 2) Pension Commutation 3) Leave Salary 4) Erode Engineering College and Medical College Contribution along with 18% interest to the petitioner within the stipulated period.

Prayer in W.P(MD)No.3845 of 2016:

Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to pay 1) Pension Commutation 2) Gratuity 3) Leave Salary along with 18% interest to the petitioner within the stipulated period.

For Petitioner : Mr.C.Thangamani For Respondents : Mr.D.Sivaraman (In all W.Ps) Standing Counsel COMMON ORDER The prayer in the writ petitions is for the issue of a writ of mandamus to direct the respondents to pay retirement benefits with interest to the petitioner in view of their respective representations. 2.Since the issue involved in all these writ petitions are one and the same, they are taken up together for final disposal. 3.It is stated that though the petitioners were allowed to retire from the service of the respondents, till date the respondent Corporation has not settled the retirement benefits. Hence, the petitioners have given representation to settle the entire terminal benefits along with interest for the belated payment. As there was no response to the said representation, the petitioners have come up with the above writ petitions.

4.When the matter is taken up for hearing, Mr.D.Sivaraman, learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents has submitted that the issue is covered by a judgment, passed by the Honourable Division Bench in W.A.(MD).Nos.383 to 457 of 2015 dated 12.06.2015. He has further submitted that the respondents would consider the request of the petitioners in the light of the judgment passed by the Honourable Division Bench.

5.For ready reference, the judgment passed by the Hon'ble Division Bench in W.A.(MD).Nos.383 to 457 of 2015 dated 12.06.2015 is extracted as follows:

"The learned Additional Advocate General submits that he has obtained written instructions vide letter No.7945/E/2015-2 dated 11.06.2015 that the terminal benefits of the appellants would be settled through twelve equal monthly instalments, carrying interest of 6% p.a.

2.The said statement is thus taken on record 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

instalment should be paid on or before 7th of each month" 6.Following the judgment of the Hon'ble Division Bench of this Court referred to above, the respondents are directed to pay the amount due to the petitioner in 12 equal installments commencing from 10th April 2016. It is needless to mention that the entire arrears shall carry interest at the rate of 6% per annum. In case of delay in making installments, the interest payable could be 18% for the delayed period. 7.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 petitioners have any grievance that they are entitled to interest for the amount already settled, they can agitate the same as per law, if they are entitled to. No costs.

8.With the above direction, these writ petitions are disposed of. No costs.

Sd/- Assistant Registrar (AE) /True Copy/ Sub Assistant Registrar To

1. The Managing Director, The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Kumbakonam) Limited, New Railway Station Road, Kumbakonam.

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

+ 4 CC TO MR.C.THANGAMANI,ADVOCATE IN SR Nos. 10437,10438,10439 and 10440 + 4 CC TO MR.D.SIVARAMAN, ADVOCATE IN SR Nos. 10545,10546,10547 and 10548 SMS TE/SK-SKN/ : 04/03/2016 : 3P/11C Writ Petition (MD) Nos.3842 to 3845 of 2016 24.02.2016