Mr. P. Kannan Kumar, learned Standing Counsel, accepts notice for the respondent. With consent, this writ petition is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.
2 This writ petition has been preferred seeking the following relief:
a writ of mandamus directing the respondent to settle the terminal benefits of the petitioner, Gratuity amount of Rs.9,00,000/-, Social Security Scheme amount of Rs.30,000/-, Erode Engineering College and Perundurai Medical College amount of Rs.4,500/- altogether a sum of Rs.9,34,500/- with interest at the rate of 6% per annum by considering the petitioner's representation dated 09.03.2017. 3 The petitioner joined the service of the respondent-Transport Corporation as Store Helper on 01.02.1992 and retired from service as such on 31.08.2016 on reaching the age of superannuation. However, he was not paid with the aforesaid benefits. Ergo, the petitioner has addressed a representation dated 09.03.2017 to the respondent, but, to no avail. Hence, he has preferred this writ petition for the relief, as aforestated.
4 In W.A.No.(MD)Nos.383 to 457 of 2015, [K.Rajendran and others Vs. Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, represented by its Managing Director, Madurai-10 and 3 others], involving similar set of facts, as obtaining in this case, a Division Bench of the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, by order dated 12.06.2015, has directed payment of terminal benefits in 12 equal monthly instalments with interest at the rate of 6% p.a. The relevant portion of the said order reads thus:
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 (e) 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 Following the same, the respondent is directed to disburse the petitioner's retirement benefits, if any, provided, the petitioner has retired without any disciplinary proceedings pending against him, on the basis of his representation dated 09.03.2017, in twelve equal monthly instalments and the first instalment shall commence from the first week of June 2017.
The writ petition stands disposed of with the above direction. Costs made easy.
17.03.2017 cad T. RAJA, J.
cad To The Managing Director State Express Transport Corporation Ltd.
No.2, Pallavan Salai Chennai 600 002 W.P. No.6494 of 2017 17.03.2017