M. Balasubramanian v. The Managing Director,

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED: 26.04.2016 CORAM :

THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE PUSHPA SATHYANARAYANA Writ Petition (MD) Nos.8193 to 8195 of 2016 M.Balasubramanian ... Petitioner in W.P(MD)No.8193/2016 K.Nagarajan ...

Petitioner in W.P(MD)No.8194/2016 T.Perumal ...

Petitioner in W.P(MD)No.8195/2016 Vs.

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

2.The Administrator, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Employees Pension Fund Trust, Thiruvalluvar House, Pallavan Salai, Chennai 600 002. ... Respondents in all W.Ps. Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents to settle the petitioner's retirement benefits including gratuity leave salary, communication and all other attendant benefits with interest at the rate of 18% per annum within the time limit that may be fixed by this Court. For Petitioners : Mr.D.Selvaraj For Respondents : Mr.A.P.Muthupandian COMMON 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 petitioners.

2.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, they have 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 petitioners have come up with the above writ petitions.

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 petitioners in 12 equal installments commencing from 10th July 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, they are 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.

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

Sd/- Assistant Registrar(Record) /True copy/ Sub Assistant Registrar To 1.The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Madurai Region, Corporate Office, Madurai 10.

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

+3cc to Mr.D.Selvaraj, Advocate SR.No.23899 to 23901 sm:mp:12.5.2016:3P/6C Writ Petition (MD) Nos.8193 to 8195 of 2016