Suresh Kumar P vs Kerala State Road Transport Corporation

Devan Ramachandran, J

The petitioners complain that, even though several months have elapsed after their retirement from the services of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), on attaining the age of superannuation, they have not been paid their eligible retiral benefits including DCRG, CVP, Terminal Leave Surrender and other eligible benefits.

Sri.N.Sasidharan Unnithan - learned counsel for the petitioners, submitted that the delay caused by the KSRTC in disbursing the eligible retiral benefits to his clients has put them in extreme prejudice; and prayed that it be directed to be paid within a time frame to be fixed by this Court.

In response, Sri.Deepu Thankan - learned Standing Counsel for the KSRTC, submitted that the delay in disbursement of the retiral benefits to the petitioners is partly on account of the fact that the KSRTC is going through financial crisis presently; and partly because, a wage revision has been suggested by it, which is now pending before the Government.

Even when I hear the learned Standing Counsel for the KSRTC as afore, the fact remains that the retiral benefits due to the petitioners cannot be delayed ad infinitum for any reason. I am, therefore, of the firm view that they are entitled to the relief.

Resultantly, I order this Writ Petition and direct the competent among respondents to ensure that the retiral benefits eligible to the petitioners, including DCRG, CVP, Terminal Leave Surrender and other eligible benefits as the case may be, are disbursed to them within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment, notwithstanding whether the revision as sought for by the KSRTC is allowed by the Government or otherwise.

Needless to say, if any such revision is allowed by the Government in future, then the concomitant additional benefits eligible to the petitioners will also be released to them within a period of four months thereafter.