By consent, the writ petition is taken up for final disposal. Mr.P.Kannan Kumar, learned Standing counsel for Transport Corporation accepts notice on behalf of the respondent.
2. The petitioner has joined the service of the respondent Corporation on 02.02.1987 as a Driver and after putting 27 years of service, he retired from service on 31.07.2016 as Senior Driver (Staff No.41094). The grievance expressed by the petitioner is that the Gratuity amount alone have been settled and the rest of the retiral/ terminal benefits have not been conferred upon him. In this regard, he had submitted a representation to the respondent dated 02.01.2017 and despite receipt and acknowledgment, no orders have been passed and hence, came forward to file the present writ petition.
3. Heard the submission of Mr.P.Kannan Kumar, learned Standing counsel appearing for the respondent.
4. The Division Bench of this Court in Writ Appeal[MD]No.383 to 457/2015 [K.Rajendran and others Vs. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Madurai Limited rep. by the Managing Director, Madurai-10 and others] has considered the similar issue and by a common judgment dated 12.06.2015, has passed the following order. The learned Additional Advocate General submits that he has obtained written instructions vide letter No.7945/B/2015-2 dated 11/06/2015 that the terminal benefits of the appellants would be settled through twelve equal monthly installments, 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. Utta Haryana Bujli Vitran Nigam Limited & 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 instalments to be paid from July 2015 and each instalments should be paid on or before 7th of each month.
4. The Writ Appeals are disposed of accordingly. No costs. Consequently, the connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
5. In the light of the above facts and circumstances, the respondent is directed to settle the retiral/terminal benefits to the petitioner in twelve equal monthly installments commencing from 1st June 2017 with interest at the rate of 6% per annum and in the event of default, the interest payable will become 18% per annum. The respondent, apart from paying arrears of pension, shall also continue to pay the monthly pension amount to the petitioner in time without any default.
6. The writ petition stands disposed of with the above direction. No costs.
20.02.2017 Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes / No vsi To The Managing Director, Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Villupuram Kottam, Saalamedu,Valutha Reddy, Villupuram District.
M.SATHYANARAYANAN, J., vsi W.P.No.4068 of 2017 20.02.2017 http://www.judis.nic.in