R.Ravichandran vs Additional Chief Secretary To Government Of Tamil Nadu Transport Department And Others

Mummineni Sudheer Kumar, J

Mr.M.Dinesh Hari Sudarsan, learned counsel for the Government, takes notice for the first respondent and Mr.S.C.Herold Singh, learned Standing Counsel, takes notice for the respondents 2 to 4.

With the consent of both sides, this writ petition is disposed of at the admission stage.

Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned counsel for the Government and the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respective respondents.

This writ petition has been filed for a mandamus directing the respondents to compute and pay difference amounts in the benefits in respect of gratuity, encashment of leave salary, monthly pension by taking dearness allowance at 50% i.e., on par with serving employees of Transport Corporation with arrears to the petitioner from the date of his retirement i.e., 31.05.2024 in terms of the 15th wage revision settlement entered under Section 12(3) of I.D.Act dated 29.05.2025 together with interest at the rate of 6% per annum for the differential payment to be computed from the date of his retirement till the date of payment within a time frame as may be fixed by this Court.

Today, when the matter is taken up for consideration, learned counsel on either side agree that the issue that arises for consideration in this writ petition is squarely covered by an order passed by the Coordinate Bench of this Court in W.P.(MD) No.3191 of 2026, dated 05.02.2026, in an identical fact situation and a copy of the said order is also placed before this Court.

In the light of the consensus, this Court does not see any reason to adjudicate the case on hand on merits and is of the view that this writ petition can be disposed of in terms of the said order dated 05.02.2026, passed by the Coordinate Bench of this Court in W.P.(MD) No.3191 of 2026, wherein, the learned Single Judge has held as follows:

"7.The petitioner's husband was in service as a permanent employee of the Transport Corporation as on 01.09.2023 and therefore, he is entitled for the benefits as per this 15th wage settlement. The petitioner's husband died, while he was in service on 27.12.2023 and he was paid with the retirement benefits as per the earlier wage settlement. The 15th wage settlement provides revision of scale of pay by 6% on the basic pay, for those who were in service as on 01.09.2023, however monetary benefits with effect from 01.09.2024.

Therefore, the petitioner's husband is entitled for the monetary benefits, pursuant to the revision of scale of pay from 01.09.2024 and the consequential retirement benefits.

8.Admittedly, such a revision has not been made till date. Any belated settlement of monetary benefits due to an employee needs to be settled with interest at the rate of 6% per annum. Therefore, this writ petition stands allowed with a direction to the respondent Transport Corporation to revise the pay scale of the petitioner's husband with effect from 01.09.2023 and provide the monetary benefits with effect from 01.09.2024, as per the 15th wage settlement dated 29.05.2025 and settle the benefits along with arrears to the petitioner within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, with interest @ 6% per annum. The interest shall be calculated for the period beyond Clause 37(b) of the settlement dated 29.05.2025 till the date of actual payment. There shall be no order as to costs."

In the light of the above, this writ petition is allowed directing the respondents to revise the pay scale of the petitioner with effect from 01.09.2023 and provide all the consequential monetary benefits with effect from 01.09.2024 as per the 15th Wage Settlement dated 29.05.2025 and settle all other benefits in terms of the said Settlement and pay arrears thereon to the petitioner, within a period of five months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, together with interest at the rate of 6% per annum for the belated payment. No costs.