M.Muruganandam, v. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Madurai) Ltd.,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 10.07.2025

CORAM:

THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE VIVEK KUMAR SINGH M.Muruganandam ... Petitioner -vs1.The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation ( Madurai ) Ltd., Represented by its Managing Director, Madurai.

2.The Administrator, The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Employees Pension Fund Trust, Thiruvalluvar Illam, Pallavan Salai, Chennai - 02.

... Respondents PRAYER: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to settle the interest at the rate of 6 % per annum for the belated payment of petitioner's terminal benefits including Provident Fund, Gratuity and Terminal Leave Salary from the date of his retirement i.e. from 31.05.2023 to 10.03.2025, the date on which the said benefits were settled to him.

For Petitioner : Mr.A.Rahul For R1 : Mr.K.Ramaiah Standing Counsel For R2 : Mr.S.C.Herold Singh Standing Counsel

ORDER

This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to settle the interest at the rate of 6% per annum for the belated payment of petitioner's terminal benefits including Provident Fund, Gratuity and Terminal Leave Salary from the date of the petitioner's retirement to till the date on which the said benefits were settled to him.

2. The petitioner was appointed as 'Conductor' in the respondent Corporation on 31.10.1998 and he retired from service on 31.05.2023. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner's terminal benefits was not settled immediately and there is an abnormal delay.

3. In view of the same, the only issue to be considered in this Writ Petition is with regard to interest payable on the belated settlement. This issue was dealt

with by this Court on various occasions and this Court passed orders in several Writ Petitions. In fact, the issue involved in this writ petition is no longer resintegra.

4. This Court in W.P(MD)No.4866 of 2023 (C.Murugan vs. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Tirunelveli) Ltd., and another) by order dated 07.03.2023 has decided this issue.

5. Accordingly, by following the order stated supra, this Writ Petition is allowed with the following direction:- The respondents shall pay interest to the petitioner at the rate of 6% per annum on the belated payment of the retirement benefits commencing from the date of retirement, till date of actual disbursement, within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.

There shall be no order as to costs.

NCC : Yes / No 10.07.2025 Index : Yes / No sm

VIVEK KUMAR SINGH , J.

sm To:- 1.The Managing Director, The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation ( Madurai ) Ltd., Madurai.

2.The Administrator, The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Employees Pension Fund Trust, Thiruvalluvar Illam, Pallavan Salai, Chennai - 02.

10.07.2025