A.K. Nalan and others v. Union of India and others

## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE** **MONDAY, THE 15TH DAY OF JUNE 2020 / 25TH JYAISHTA, 1942** ## **WP(C).No.4667 OF 2020(G)** ## **PETITIONERS:** |**1**|**A.K.NALAN,**| |---|---| ||**PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT,**| ||**AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLAPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM,**| ||**LTD.NO.D 1961 (APCOS),**| ||**P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581,**| ||**WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN.NO.100070732979.**| |**2**|**ABDUL KADAR C.P.,**| ||**PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT,**| ||**AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM,**| ||**LTD.NO.D 1961 (APCOS),**| ||**P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581,**| ||**WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100120916900.**| |**3**|**ABHIJITH M.R.,**| ||**DATA ENTRY OPERATOR,**| ||**AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA**| ||**SANGAM,LTD.NO.1961 (APCOS),**| ||**P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581,**| ||**WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.101280268385.**| |**4**|**ANTONY K.J., MACHINIST,**| ||**AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM,**| ||**LTD.NO.1961 (APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581,**| ||**WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100183453953.**| |**5**|**ASHADEVI C.M., SECRETARY,**| ||**AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM,**| ||**LTD.NO.1961 (APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581,**| ||**WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100120846451.**| |**6**|**DEVASSIA P.T., PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT,**| ||**AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM,**| ||**LTD.NO.D.1961 (APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581,**| ||**WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100264470356.**| |**7**|**BENOY AUGUSTINE, PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT,**| ||**AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM,**| ||**LTD.NO.D.1961 (APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581,**| ||**WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100109441893.**| **WP(C).No.4667 OF 2020(G)** **-2-** - **8 JISHA ANAND, JUNIOR CLERK, AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM, LTD.NO. D.1961 (APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581, WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100902037198.** **9 JOM VARGHESE, PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT, AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM, LTD.NO. D.1961 (APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581, WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100178034524.** - **10 LASAR A.K., PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT, AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM, LTD.NO.D.1961 (APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581, WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100070730111.** **11 M.V.THOMAS, PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT, AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM, LTD.NO.D.1961 (APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581, WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100211354790.** **12 MANIKANDAN, PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT, AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM, LTD.NO.D.1961 (APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581, WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100070732283.** - **13 MANOJKUMAR M.K., PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT, AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM, LTD.NO.D.1961 (APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581, WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100222422573.** - **14 N.CHANDRAN,** **PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT, AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM,LTD.NO.D.1961 (APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581, WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100246391011.** **15 P.V.BABU, PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT, AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM,LTD.NO.D.1961 (APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581, WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100118312220.** **WP(C).No.4667 OF 2020(G)** **-3-** - **16 SEBASTIAN C.J., PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT, AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM,LTD.NO.D.1961 (APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581, WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100120783911.** - **17 T.C.LUKOSE,** **PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT, AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM,LTD.NO.D.1961 (APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581, WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100387699973.** **18 THANKACHAN N.A., TYPIST/JUNIOR CLERK, AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM, LTD.NO.D 1961 (APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581, WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100246312674.** **19 THOMAS C.T., LAB ASSISTANT, AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM, LTD.NO.D.1961(APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581, WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100121080234.** **20 UMMER K., SENIOR CLERK, AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM, LTD.NO.D.1961(APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581, WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100184726669.** **21 V.D.SHAJU, JUNIOR CLERK, AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM, LTD.NO.D.1961(APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581, WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100398318915.** - **22 V.J.SUNNY,** **PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT, AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM, LTD.NO.D.1961(APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581, WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100398393383.** - **23 V.T.RAMAN,** **PROCUREMENT ASSISTANT, AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM, LTD.NO.D.1961(APCOS), P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581, WAYANAD DISTRICT, UAN NO.100398949699.** **WP(C).No.4667 OF 2020(G)** **-4-** - **24 VASANTHKUMARI P.C., GREESHMAM, MEENANGADI, WAYANAD, UAN NO.100263342590.** - **25 RAHIM N.M., EDAVILA, NARIKUNDU P.O., WAYANAD, UAN NO.100246546350.** - **26 GEETHA GOPALAN, DIVIYA NIVAS, AMBALAVAYAL, WAYANAD,UAN NO.100158865822.** - **27 VASUDEVAN K.K., KUTTADAKANDIYIL, AMBALAVAYAL P.O., WAYANAD, UAN NO.100183526230.** - **28 SCARIA K.J., KUTHUKALLINGAL, NELLARACHAL P.O., WAYANAD, UAN NO.100183457849.** - **29 SASI M.G., MAMPULLI,AMBALAVAYAL P.O., WAYANAD, UAN NO.100209982350.** - **30 BABY M.V., MOKKUVAMTHARA, KUMBALERY P.O., WAYANAD, UAN NO.100211335431.** - **31 KUNHIRAMAN P.C., KAIKULATHIL, KUMBALERY P.O., WAYANAD, UAN NO.100263338346.** **BY ADVS. SRI.P.N.MOHANAN SRI.C.P.SABARI SRI.H.MAHADEVAN SMT.AMRUTHA SURESH** ## **RESPONDENTS:** **1 UNION OF INDIA (UOI), REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, NEW DELHI - 110 001.** **WP(C).No.4667 OF 2020(G)** **-5-** **2 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION (EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, PATTOM PALACE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695 004.** - **3 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER-1, OFFICE OF THE REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION (EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, ERANJIPALAM, KOZHIKODE - 673 006.** - **4 EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND TRUSTEE, REPRESENTED BY MANAGING TRUSTEE, EMPLOYEE PROVIDENT FUND OFFICE, BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN, WAZIRPUR, NEW DELHI - 110 052.** - **5 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER-I (PENSION), BHAVISHYA NITHI BHAVAN, 14-BHIKAJI CAMA PALACE, NEW DELHI - 110 066.** - **6 AMBALAVAYAL KSHEEROLPADAKA SAHAKARANA SANGAM, LTD.NO.D.1961 (APCOS), REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY, P.O.VADUVANCHAL - 673 581, WAYANAD DISTRICT.** **BY ADVS. SMT.PREMLATHA K.NAIR SRI.P.VIJAYAKUMAR, ASG OF INDIA DR.ABRAHAM P.MEACHINKARA, SC, EPF ORG. SRI.NITA N.S. SC FOR EPF** **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 15.06.2020, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** **WP(C).No.4667 OF 2020(G)** **-6-** ## **JUDGMENT** **Dated this the 15th day of June 2020** The petitioners 1 to 23 are serving employees and 24 to 31 are retired employees of Ambalavayal Ksheerolpadaka Sahakarana Sangam. The Society is covered under the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. Their prayer is to collect pension contribution towards the EPF Pension Scheme, 1995 from the petitioners 24 to 31 (retired employees) on the basis of actual salary drawn by them and to grant consequential benefits of pension in the light of Ext.P11 judgment **(P.Sasikumar and others v. Union of India [ILR 2019(1)Kerala 614])** dated 12.10.2018 and in the case of petitioners 1 to 23 (existing employees) to collect pension contribution on the basis of actual salary drawn by them and to credit in the 1995 EPF Pension Scheme by way of book adjustment from the amount lying in the PF account. They placed reliance upon Ext.P11 judgment of this Court affirmed by **WP(C).No.4667 OF 2020(G)** **-7-** the Apex Court. 2. A statement has been filed by the learned Standing Counsel on behalf of the 3[rd] respondent which states that SLP No.11023/2019 filed by the Union of India and Review petition No.1430-1431/2019 filed by EPFO which are pending before the Hon'ble Supreme Court. Apart from that, it is contended that the petitioners never contributed at par with alleged salary drawn by them. It is further argued that the present claim is only a farce claim to obtain a higher pension. It is also specifically pointed out by the learned Standing Counsel for the respondent that the employer never contributed at par with the salary alleged to have been drawn by the employees. 3. On the other hand, the learned Counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioners are entitled to the pension at par with the actual salary drawn by them and they are prepared to place all relevant records before the EPF Authority to substantiate their claim. 4. Having considered the facts and circumstances, it is appropriate to direct the respondents to consider the **WP(C).No.4667 OF 2020(G)** **-8-** petitioners' claim after affording an opportunity to them within a period of three months in the light of Ext.P11 judgment and also in the light of the judgment of this Court in W.P.(C)No.1633/2020. The writ petition is disposed of as above. **Sd/A.MUHAMED MUSTAQUE JUDGE** akv/ 15.6.2020 **WP(C).No.4667 OF 2020(G)** **-9-** ## **APPENDIX** ||**APPENDIX**| |---|---| |**PETITIONER'S/S**|**EXHIBITS:**| |**EXHIBIT P1**|**A TRUE COPY OF THE LICENSE ISSUED UNDER THE**| ||**POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD DATED 22/06/2019.**| |**EXHIBIT P2**|**A TRUE COPY OF THE LICENSE DATED 01/04/2019**| ||**ISSUED BY AMBALAVAYAL GRAMA PANAHCYATH FOR**| ||**SALE OF MILK.**| |**EXHIBIT P3**|**A TRUE COPY OF THE LICENSE DATED 01/04/2019**| ||**ISSUED BY AMBALAVAYAL GRAMA PANCHAYATH**| ||**ISSUED FOR MILK PRODUCTIONS.**| |**EXHIBIT P4**|**A TRUE COPY OF THE LICENSE DATED 01/04/2019**| ||**ISSUED BY AMBALAVAYAL GRAMA PANCHAYATH**| ||**ISSUED FOR CATTLE FEED.**| |**EXHIBIT P5**|**A TRUE COPY OF THE LICENSE DATED 01/04/2019**| ||**ISSUED BY AMBALAVAYAL GRAMA PANCHAYATH**| ||**ISSUED FOR CHILLING PLAINT.**| |**EXHIBIT P6**|**A TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE**| ||**KERALA STATE ELECTRICITY BOARD ON**| ||**10/11/1994.**| |**EXHIBIT P7**|**A TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION UNDER THE**| ||**FACTORY AND BOILERS.**| |**EXHIBIT P8**|**A TRUE COPY OF THE APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL**| ||**OF LICENSE UNDER THE FOOD SAFETY AND**| ||**STANDARD AUTHORITY OF INDIA.**| |**EXHIBIT P9**|**A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 4/11/2011**| ||**IN W.P.(C) NO.6643/2007.**| |**EXHIBIT P10**|**TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS DATED**| ||**20/2/2007 ISSUED BY THE SECOND RESPONDENT.**| |**EXHIBIT P11**|**A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED**| ||**12/10/2018 IN W.P.(C) NO.13120/2015 AS**| ||**REPORTED IN I.L.R. 2019(1) KER 614.**| |**EXHIBIT P12**|**A TRUE COPY OF THE COMMUNICATION DATED**| ||**19/09/2014 OF THE THIRD RESPONDENT.**| **WP(C).No.4667 OF 2020(G)** **-10-** **EXHIBIT P13 A TRUE COPY OF THE COVERING LETTER DATED 26/06/2009 OF THE STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS.** - **EXHIBIT P14 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 13/01/2020 OF THE THIRD RESPONDENT.** - **EXHIBIT P15 A TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION DATED 10/12/2019 SUBMITTED BY THE 24TH PETITIONER ALONG WITH ACKNOWLEDGMENT DUE.** - **EXHIBIT P16 A TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION PAYMENT ORDER DATED 07/09/2016 IN RESPECT OF THE 24TH PETITIONER.** - **EXHIBIT P17 A TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION PAYMENT ORDER IN RESPECT OF THE 25TH PETITIONER.** - **EXHIBIT P18 A TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION PAYMENT ORDER DATED 16/01/2020 IN RESPECT OF THE 26TH PETITIONER.** - **EXHIBIT P19 A TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION PAYMENT ORDER DATED 07/03/2018 IN RESPECT OF THE 27TH PETITIONER.** - **EXHIBIT P20 A TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION PAYMENT ORDER DATED 22/12/2017 IN RESPECT OF THE 28TH PETITIONER.** - **EXHIBIT P21 A TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION PAYMENT ORDER DATED 02/03/2016 IN RESPECT OF THE 29TH PETITIONER.** - **EXHIBIT P22 A TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION PAYMENT ORDER DATED 30/06/2017 IN RESPECT OF THE 30TH PETITIONER.** - **EXHIBIT P23 A TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION PAYMENT ORDER DATED 30/1/2018 IN RESPECT OF THE 31ST PETITIONER.** **EXHIBIT P24 A TRUE COPY OF THE DEMAND NOTICE DATED 28/3/2018 FOR RS.1,66,695/- AND PENSION PAYMENT ORDER DATED 04/07/2018 OF SRI.P.K.RAMAN KUTTY.** **WP(C).No.4667 OF 2020(G)** **-11-** **EXHIBIT P25 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 30/08/1991 OF THE THIRD RESPONDENT. EXHIBIT P26 A TRUE COPY OF THE CIRCULAR DATED 27/04/2009 OF THE GOVERNMENT OF KERALA.** **RESPONDENT'S/S EXHIBITS : NIL.** //TRUE COPY// P.A. TO JUDGE