High Court of KeralaSingle Judge2023-10-03Writ petition disposed of; petitioners permitte...

Ashokan B. and Others v. Union of India and Others

Case / Petition Number:WP(C) No. 6265 of 2020

Case Details & Bench

Court: High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges: Sathish Ninan
Judgment Date: 2023-10-03
Court Decision / Holding: Writ petition disposed of, permitting the petitioners to file appropriate applications seeking enhanced pension in terms of the amended scheme; such applications to be considered by the appropriate EPFO authority without delay.
Final Disposition: Writ petition disposed of; petitioners permitted to file fresh applications for enhanced pension under the amended scheme; EPFO to consider without delay.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

Ashokan B. et al. (48 petitioners including Ashokan B., S. Baburajan, Mohana Kumaran Nair P., S. Salin, Sasidharan Pillai M., Mathew L., Cheriyan, Sahadevan S., Anil Kumar K.B., Ebrahim Kutty M., Maheendran Pillai G., V. Sundaran, T. Suresh, Mohanan K., Radha krishnan Pillai M., Mohanan S., V. Bhuvanendran, Prakashan S., Baiju Mony K., Mathai A., Nalinakshan N., Fazaludeen E., Maniyan Pillai C., Bernabas E., Viswanathan R., Rajendran G., Sreerakkan V., Salim K.S., Kunjukrishna Pillai M., RadhaKrishnan Pillai K., Salimkutt y M., Gopalakrishnan Nair A., Sundaran R., Azhakesan S., Muraleedharan Pillai, Raju S., Balachandran Nair M., Yesudas, Sabyja Kumar T.R., Sujahu deen H., Suresh Babu, Radha Krishnan Achari, S. Mohana Chandran Pillai, K. Raveendran Pillai, Sundaresan G., K. Sadanandan, Raju C.G., Sasidharan Pillai G., and others.

Respondents

Union of India (UOI), represented by the Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Labour and Department of Employment
Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, EPFO
Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner, Sub Regional Office, EPFO
Employees Provident Fund Trustee, represented by Managing Trustee, EPFO
Regional Provident Fund Commissioner - 1 (Pension)
Quilon Co-operative Spinning Mill Ltd.

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

• P. N. Mohanan, Sr.
• C. P. Sabari
• Sri. H. Mahadevan
• Smti. Amrutha Suresh

Counsels for Respondents

• Sri. P. Vijayakumar (ASG)
• Sri. Pirappancode V. Sudhir, SC

Case Synopsis & Summary

The petitioners, a large group of employees and beneficiaries, file WP(C) No. 6265 of 2020 seeking higher pension under the Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme as amended in 2014. They contend that the amended scheme provides for enhanced pension benefits and that their pension under the older framework is inadequate. The respondents reference a Supreme Court ruling upholding the validity of the 2014 amendment, namely Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar B. (2022) 7 KHC 12, which, according to them, permits fresh claims under the amended framework. The Kerala High Court notes this Supreme Court validation and, accordingly, disposes of the petition by directing the petitioners to file fresh applications for enhanced pension under the amended scheme. The applications are to be considered by the appropriate EPFO authority without delay and in accordance with the amended scheme and Supreme Court directions. The appendix lists several exhibits and prior judgments in EPF matters. Overall, the judgment reinforces that pension enhancements must be sought under the amended scheme, guiding petitioners and the EPFO to a structured, expedited procedure consistent with higher court directives.”

Provisions of Law Cited

Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme – 2014 amendment

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners seek higher pension under the amended EPF Scheme of 2014, arguing that the amended scheme provides for enhanced pension benefits and should be applied to their cases. They rely on the Supreme Court’s affirmation of the amendment’s validity to press for relief through fresh applications under the amended framework, with expeditious consideration by the EPFO. They emphasize equitable pension rights for those covered by the PF scheme and request that pending grievances be resolved under the amended scheme’s provisions.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents contend that the amended scheme’s validity has been upheld by the Supreme Court, and therefore petitioners should file fresh applications for enhanced pension under the amended regime. They argue that the correct path is to process claims in accordance with the amended scheme and the directives of the Supreme Court, rather than granting relief based on the earlier framework.

Cited Precedents (2)

Case Name	Citation	Treatment	Explanation
Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar B.	2022(7)KHC 12	Positive	The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the 2014 amendment to the EPF Scheme, enabling the petitioners to pursue enhanced pension under the amended regime.
ILR 2019(1) Ker 614	ILR 2019(1) Ker 614	Mentioned Only	Cited in Exhibit P4 as a judgment reported in ILR 2019(1) Ker 614; referenced in the appendix rather than relied upon as a binding precedent in the judgment’s reasoning.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SATHISH NINAN** ## **TUESDAY, THE 3[RD] DAY OF OCTOBER 2023 / 11TH ASWINA, 1945** ## **WP(C) NO. 6265 OF 2020** ## **PETITIONERS:** - **1 ASHOKAN B., AGED 60 YEARS** - **MAVILAVADAKKATHIL VEEDU, PULIYILA, NALLILA P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000217, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104729.** - **2 S.BABURAJAN, AMAL NIVAS, 12 MURI NAGAR, 130, THATTAMALA P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000030, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104138.** - **3 MOHANA KUMARANA NAIR P., KARTHIKA, AKN ROAD, SANTHIVILA, NEMON P.O.,** - **THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/000098, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00109067.** - **4 S.SALIN, MAKAM, KANNATTA, KARAMKODU P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000582, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00108769.** - **5 SASIDHARAN PILLAI M., SREE BHAVAN,. NEELESWARAM P.O., KOTTARAKKARA, KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000443, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00101147.** - **6 MATHEW L., ASSARIAZHIKATHU VEEDU, ADICHANELLOOR P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000554 P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104587.** - **7 CHERIYAN,** - **JIJO BHAVAN, MAMPALLIKUNNAM, CHATHANNOOR P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000439, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104770.** - **8 SAHADEVAN S., SREEBHAVAN, THAZHAM, CHATHANNOOR P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000475, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104585.** - **9 ANIL KUMAR K.B., THUSHARAM, VENPALAKKARA, VALATHUNGAL P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000419, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104724.** - **10 EBRAHIM KUTTY M., SAFIYA MANZIL, THAMARAPPALLI, VETTUVILA, PERINADU P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000277, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104769.** - **11 MAHEENDRAN PILLAI G.,** WP(C) NO.6265 OF 2020 2 **LEKSHMI BHAVAN, KULANGARABHAGAM, CHAVARA P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000129, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00108759.** - **12 V.SUNDARAN,** **CHARUVILA PUTHENVEEDU, NEDUMPANA P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000046, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00093946.** - **13 T.SURESH,** **LESHMI BHAVAN, PATTATHANAM NAGAR - 199, PATTATHANAM P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000226, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00109097.** - **14 MOHANAN K.,** **LEKSHMI BHAVAN, NADAKKAL, VILAVOORKONAM, KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000196, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00109092.** - **15 RADHAKRISHNAN PILLA,** **KRISHNA SREE, PERUMPUZHA P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000093, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00109068.** - **16 MOHANAN S., KODIKKATTU VEEDU, MYLAKKADU, KOTTIYAM, KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000381, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00109221.** - **17 V.BHUVANENDRAN,** **MULLUVILA, KARIMPALOOR, PUTHENKULAM P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000307, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104768.** ## **18 PRAKASAN S.,** **KRISHNA NAVAMI, KOTTAKKERAM, PARIPPALY P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000213, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104913.** - **19 BAIJU MONY K.,** WP(C) NO.6265 OF 2020 3 **S.B.LAND, THATTAMALA NAGAR - 31, THATTAMALA P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000228, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00109179.** ## **20 MATHAI A.,** **LINCY BHAVAN, PAYATTUVILA, NEAR PUNNAMUKKU, PERUMPUZHA P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000321, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104730.** - **21 NALINAKSHAN N.,** **VATTAVILA VEEDU, KUMMALLOOR P.O., ADICHANALLOOR, KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000318, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00109181.** - **22 FAZALUDEEN E.,** **MUNEER MANZIL, SITARA JUNCTION, ADICHANELLOOR, KOTTIYAM P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000197, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00109098.** **23 MANIYAN PILLAI C., THAYIL VEEDU, MANAYIL, PANMANA P.O., CHAVARA, KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000479, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00108758.** - **24 BERNABAS E.,** **ANCY COTTAGE, KARAMCODE P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000071,,** - **P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104867.** ## **25 VISWANATHAN R.,** **NELLIPARAMBIL, VADAKKUMTHALAKIZHAKKU P.O., KARUNAGAPPALLY, KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000295, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104727.** ## **26 RAJENDRAN G., SARI NIVAS, KAITHAKUZHI, ADICHANELLUR P.O.,** WP(C) NO.6265 OF 2020 4 **KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000327, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104728.** - **27 SREERAKHAN V.,** **RAJANEE BHAVAN, KARAMCODE P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000163, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00101150.** - **28 SALIM K.S.,** - **KOCHUTHAYYIL VEEDU, CHIRAKKARATHAZHAM P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000026,, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00100765.** - **29 KUNJUKRISHNA PILLAI M., KAVYA BHAVAN, PERUMPUZHA, KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000160, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104586.** - **30 RADHAKRISHNAN PILLAI K.,** **THOTTAM MADATHIL VEEDU, PERUMPUZHA P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000297, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00105022.** **31 SALIMKUTTY M., SHAMANA MANZIL, THAVALANTHAZHIKAM, VALATHUNGAL P.O., ERAVIPURAM, KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000413, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00109234.** - **32 GOPALA KRISHNAN NAIR A.,** **SIVODAYAM, ERAMTHEKKU, KARAMCODU P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000454, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104737.** ## **33 SUNDARAN R.,** **THENGAVILA VEEDU, EDANADU P.O., KARAMCODU, KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000398, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00109222.** ## **34 AZHAKESAN S.,** ## **THENGUVILA VEEDU, VALLAKKOTTUKONAM, VARINJAM,** WP(C) NO.6265 OF 2020 5 **KARAMCODE P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000070, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104928.** - **35 MURALEEDHARAN PILLAI,** **INDHU BHAVAN, VARINJAM, ADUTHALA P.O., KARAMCODE, KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000256, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104725.** - **36 RAJU S.,** **PANAYIL VEEDU, VELIYAM WEST P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000128, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/0010613.** **37 BALACHANDRAN NAIR M., VIJAYABHAVANAM, SREENAGAR - 122, VADAKKANELA P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000457, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00108754.** - **38** ## **YESUDAS,** **KILIKAN VILAI, NATTALAM SOUTH, NATTALAM P.O., KANAYAKUMARI, TAMILNADU, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000105, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/0011094.** - **39 SABIJA KUMAR T.R.,** **KRISHNAKRIPA, POOTHAKULAM P.O., PARAVOOR, KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000144, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104994.** ## **40 SUJAHUDEEN H.,** **ANAS MANZIL, KUNDUMON, VELICHIKKALA P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000352, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00101148.** ## **41 SURESH BABU,** **SUDHEESH BHAVAN, THEVALAPURAM P.O., PUTHOOR, KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000271,** WP(C) NO.6265 OF 2020 6 ## **P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00102229.** - **42 RADHA KRISHNAN ACHARI,** **ATHAM, AMMAN NAGAR - 224, PATTATHANAM P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000264, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104589.** - **43 S.MOHANA CHANDRAN PILLAI,** **SHYJU VILASAM, VARINJAM, AADUTHALA P.O., CHATHANOOR, KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000489, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/100237.** - **44 K.RAVEENDRAN PILLAI,** **GOPU SADHANAM, KARAMCODE P.O., CHATHANOOR, KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000543, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/98950.** **45 SUNDARESAN G., THUNDUPARAMBILVEEDU, THOTTAKKADU NAGAR - 32, THANKASSERY P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000158, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00104735.** - **46 K.SADANANDAN,** **SAJITH VILASAM, VARINJAM, KARAMCODE P.O., KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000192, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00101170.** **47 RAJU C.G., SREEMANDIRAM, AYOOR P.O., EDAMULACKAL, KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000468, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00109233.** **48 SASIDHARAN PILLAI G., NANDU BHAVANAM, CHERUPOIKA P.O., PAVITHRESWARAM, KOLLAM, PF A/C NO.KR/KLM/0010755/000/0000286, P.P.O.NO.KR/KLM/00109183.** **BY ADVS.** WP(C) NO.6265 OF 2020 7 ## **P.N.MOHANAN SRI.C.P.SABARI SRI.H.MAHADEVAN SMT.AMRUTHA SURESH** ## **RESPONDENTS:** - **1 UNION OF INDIA(UOI), REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVT. OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, NEW DELHI - 110 001.** - **2 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION (EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, PATTOM PALACE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695 004.** - **3 ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION (EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, KOLLAM - 691 001.** - **4 EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND TRUSTEE, REPRESENTED BY MANAGING TRUSTEE, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND OFFICE, BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN, WAZIRPUR, NEW DELHI - 110 052.** - **5 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER - 1 (PENSION), BHAVISHYA NITHI BHAVAN, 14-BHIKAJI CAMA PALACE, NEW DELHI - 110 066.** - **6 QUILON CO-OPERATIVE SPINNING MILL LTD., REPRESENTED BY MANAGING DIRECTOR, KARACODE P.O., KOLLAM - 691 579.** **BY ADVS.** **SRI.P.VIJAYAKUMAR, ASGI SRI.PIRAPPANCODE V.S.SUDHIR,SC,EPF ORGN** WP(C) NO.6265 OF 2020 8 **THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 03.10.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** ## **SATHISH NINAN, J. ============================== W.P.(C) No.6265 OF 2020 =============================== Dated this the 03[rd] day of October, 2023** ## **JUDGMENT** The claim of the petitioners is for higher pension in terms of the Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme – 2014 amendment. The validity of the amended Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme was upheld by the Apex Court in _**Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar.B. [2022(7)KHC 12].**_ 2. The learned Standing counsel for the respondents points out that, in the light of the Supreme Court judgment, it is open for the petitioners to make a fresh application in terms of the amended scheme claiming higher pension, which could be considered in accordance with the scheme and the directions in the judgment. Resultantly, the writ petition is disposed of, permitting the writ petitioners to file appropriate ## **WP(C) No.6265 OF 2020** -2- application seeking enhanced pension in terms of the amended scheme and the directions of the Supreme Court. If such an application is submitted, the same shall be considered by the appropriate authority of the Organization without delay. **SATHISH NINAN JUDGE** NB/3-10 ## **APPENDIX OF WP(C) 6265/2020** |**PETITIONER EXHIBITS**|| |---|---| |**EXHIBIT P1**|**A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 4/11/2011 IN**| ||**W.P.(C) NO.6643/2007.**| |**EXHIBIT P2**|**A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 31/03/2016 IN**| ||**SLP NO.7074/2014.**| |**EXHIBIT P3**|**TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS DATED 20/2/2007**| ||**ISSUED BY THE SECOND RESPONDENT.**| |**EXHIBIT P4**|**A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT REPORTED IN ILR**| ||**2019(1) KER 614.**| |**EXHIBIT P5**|**A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 01/04/2019 IN**| ||**SLP NO.9610/2019 AGAINST THE 12/10/2018 IN W.P.**| ||**(C) NO.13120/2015.**| |**EXHIBIT P6**|**A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 25/02/2019 IN**| ||**W.P.(C) NO.8759/2017.**| **RESPONDENTS EXHIBITS : NIL** **TRUE COPY** **P.A. TO JUDGE**