A.Ayodhiraman v. The Managing Director

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 17.03.2016 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA Writ Petition (MD) No.5383 of 2016 A.Ayodhiraman ... Petitioner Vs.

1.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Madurai Region, Corporate Office, Madurai 10.

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

... Respondents Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to settle petitioners retirement benefits including gratuity the commuted value of pension leave salary settlement pension arrears and all other attendant benefits with interest at the rate of 18% per annum.

For Petitioner : Mr.D.Selvaraj For Respondents : Mr.A.P.Muthupandian Standing Counsel.

ORDER

The prayer in the writ petition is for the issue of a writ of mandamus to direct the respondents to pay retirement benefits with interest to the petitioner.

2.It is stated that though the petitioner was allowed to retire from the service of the respondents, till date the respondent Corporation has not settled the retirement benefits. Hence, the petitioner has given representations to settle the entire terminal benefits along with interest for the belated payment. As there was no response to the said representation, the petitioner has come up with the above writ petition. 3.When the matter is taken up for hearing, Mr.A.P.Muthupandian, 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. 4.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 installments, 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 installments to be paid from July 2015 and each installment should be paid on or before 7th of each month"

5.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. Further, if there are settlements or awards, the Corporation is obliged to take the same into account while arriving at the figure. 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.

6.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 to.

7.With the above direction, the writ petition is disposed of. No costs.

Sd/ Assistant Registrar (AS) /True Copy/ Sub Assistant Registrar

To 1.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Madurai Region, Corporate Office, Madurai 10.

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

+One CC to M/s.D.Selvaraj, Advocate in Sr.No.15140 CN/skn-sk/24.03.2016/3P-4C Writ Petition (MD) No.5383 of 2016