Petitioners have retired from the service of the second respondent, the Kerala Water Authority on 30.06.2013, 30.09.2012 and on 30.11.2012, respectively. On 19.02.2014, as per Exts.P1 to P3 orders, terminal benefits of the petitioners have been sanctioned by the authority concerned. The grievance of the petitioners is that the terminal benefits covered by Exts.P1 to P3 orders have not been disbursed till date.
2. I have heard the learned Standing Counsel for the second respondent. The stand taken by him is that the amounts are not disbursed due to paucity of funds.
3. In so far as the petitioners have retired from service and there is no dispute as to the terminal benefits payable to them, there is no justification for the delay in disbursing their terminal benefits. Paucity of funds is a very vague stand in matters like this. Disbursement of terminal benefits of employees shall be one of the priorities of the public bodies like Kerala Water Authority. They have to find ways and means to disburse the terminal benefits of its employees.
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4. In the circumstances, there will be direction to the second respondent to disburse the terminal benefits covered by Exts.P1 to P3 orders to the petitioners, within a period of four months from today. Petitioners claim interest for delayed payment of terminal benefits also. That question is left open.
The writ petition is disposed of as above.
smv Sd/-
P.B.SURESH KUMAR, JUDGE