Jaya Kumar V. S/O. Velayudhan and others v. Union of India and others

## **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** ## **`PRESENT`** ## **`THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN`** ``` WEDNESDAY, THE 16[TH] DAY OF AUGUST 2023 / 25TH SRAVANA, 1945 WP(C) NO. 15713 OF 2020 ``` ## **`PETITIONERS:`** - **`1 JAYA KUMAR V. S/O. VELAYUDHAN, VELLAKKAL HOUSE, PODUVAL LANE PUTHENANGADY, KOTTAYAM – 686 001, EPF A/C NO.KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000491 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00039173.`** - **`2 HAREENDRA NATHAN M.V., S/O. K.M.GOVINDAN, SREEHARI, ADUKKATH PARAMBHA, EAST KUDILTHODE, CHEVAYUR P.O., KOZHIKODE – 673 007, EPF A/C NO.KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000489 P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00061946.`** - **`3 RAJAGOPALAN P., S/O. GOPALAN NAIR.K., MAHITHALAYAM, AMBALAVAYAL P.O., WAYANAD-673593, EPF A/C NO.KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000637 P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00069604.`** - **`4 K.K SURENDRAN, S/O. K.KUNJUNNI, KUNNUMPURATHU, XXIV/39 B, THEKKUMGOPURAM, KOTTAYAM – 686 001, EPF A/C NO.KR/TVM/138/354 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/18076.`** - **`5 PADMANABHAN NAMBUDIRI P., S/O. SREEDHARAN NAMBOODIRI, SREELAKAM, NEAR PERUMANPARA TEMPLE, P.O. PERUMANA, KOZHIKODE – 673 019, EPF A/C NO.KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000490.`** - **`6 JYOTHISH K.R., S/O. RAMAKRISHNAN.K.V., PRARTHANA SURAJ ENCLAVE, EDAPPILLY, RAGHAVANPILLA ROAD, EDAPPILLY, KOCHI – 682 024, EPF A/C NO.KR/138/0551.`** - **`7 BABURAJ R., S/O. RAGHAVAN.T.S., MANAKUZHIYIL HOUSE, ARIKUZHA P.O., THODUPUZHA, IDUKKI – 686 670, EPF A/C NO.KR/138/0742.`** - **`8 GEORGE CHERIAN, S/O. O.CHERIAN, ERANACKAL HOUSE, THALAYOLAPARAMBU P.O., KOTTAYAM – 686 605, EPF A/C NO.KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000428 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00036382.`** ``` WP(C).No.15713 OF 2020 ``` ``` 2 ``` ``` 9RAJAN R., S/O. RAMANKUTTY P.S., VELLARA HOUSE, AYMANAM P.O., KOTTAYAM – 686 015, EPF A/C NO.KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000449 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00029151. ``` - **`10 M.S KRISHNAN, S/O. M.S.SANKARAN NAMBOODIRI, MURINGOTHMANA, KARUVANNUR P.O., THRISSUR – 680 711, EPF A/C NO.KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000796 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00092772.`** - **`11 REGHU T.N., S/O. NANU IYAPPAN, THIPARAMBIL HOUSE, POTHENPURAM P.O., PAMPADY, KOTTAYAM – 686 502, EPF A/C NO.KR/TVM/00004975/000/0000332 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00038322.`** - **`12 GOPIRAJAN P.G., S/O. GOVINDAN.P.N, PUTHUSSERIYIL HOUSE, S.H.MOUNT P.O., KOTTAYAM – 686 006, EPF A/C NO.KR/KTM/0005975/0000382 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00033143.`** - **`13 T.D. JOSEPH, S/O. DEVASIA SEBASTEIN, PRIYABHAVAN, KURAVILANGAD P.O., KOTTAYAM – 686 633, EPF A/C NO.KR/KTM/70/168 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00000552.`** - **`14 MURALEEDHARAN NAIR P.N., S/O. NARAYANAN NAIR, ATHIRA, S H MOUNT P.O., KOTTAYAM – 686 006, EPF A/C NO.KR/KTM/0005975/000/0000017 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00023706.`** - **`15 ABDUL HAKKIM, S/O. ABDUL KHADER, SAYANAS HOUSE, S H MOUNT P.O., KOTTAYAM – 686 006, EPF A/C NO.KR/KTM/5975/10 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00030099.`** - **`16 K. BALAKRISHNA PILLAI, S/O. KRISHNA PILLAI, PRASANTHY, KUDAMALOOR, AIMANAM, KOTTAYAM – 686 017, EPF A/C NO.KR/5975/208 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/4500.`** - **`17 KURIAN JOSEPH, S/O. P.J.JOSEPH, PARAMBIL PARAMBIL, PUNNAMADA, EAST THOTTATHODU, AVALOOKUNNU P.O., ALAPPUZHA – 688 006, EPF A/C NO.KR/KTM/0005975/000/0000122 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00028158.`** ``` WP(C).No.15713 OF 2020 ``` ``` 3 ``` ``` 18MATHEW P.K., S/O. KORAH KUNJACHAN, PRAPUZHA HOUSE, ARPOOKARA – WEST P.O., KOTTAYAM – 686 008, EPF A/C NO.KR/5975/158 P.P.O.NO.41008. ``` - **`19 P.N. SOMASEKHARAN NAIR, S/O. NARAYANAN NAIR, CHITHRAVATHI, THIRUNAKKARA NORTH, KOTTAYAM – 686 001, EPF A/C NO.KR/KTM/5975/62 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/0002145.`** - **`20 MOLLYKUTTY DAREES, D/O. M.C.JOHN, MANAKKATT HOUSE, S.H.MOUNT P.O.,KOTTAYAM – 686 006, EPF A/C NO.KR/KTM/5975/2 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/20475.`** - **`21 K.J. JOSEPH, S/O. JOSEPH C. KATTAKKAYAM, KATTAKKAYAM, ADICHIRA, THELLAKOM P.O., KOTTAYAM – 686 016, EPF A/C NO.KR/KTM/70/102.`** - **`22 NADUVATTOM SATHYASEELAN, S/O. S.CHELLAPPAN, USHA MALARY, PARAMPUZHA P.O., EPF A/C NO.KR/KTM/0005975/000/0000773 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00023552.`** - **`23 JOSEPH P.A., PERUMBATTUPUTHENPURACKAL, S.H.MOUNT P.O., KOTTAYAM – 686 006, EPF A/C NO.KR/KTM/70/260 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00035245.`** - **`24 MARIAN GEORGE, S/O. V.G.GEORGE, VATTASSERIL, PARAMPUZHA P.O., KOTTAYAM – 686 004, EPF A/C NO.KR/KTM/70/258 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/52533.`** - **`25 JOY THOMAS, PARAKULANGARA, MEVIDA P.O., PALAI, KOTTAYAM – 686 620, EPF A/C NO.KR/KTM/70/298 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/53118.`** - **`26 JAMES THOMAS K., S/O. K.P.THOMAS, KUTTANCHIRA (H), NATTAKOM (P.O), KOTTAYAM – 686 013, EPF A/C NO.KR/70/166 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/11720.`** - **`27 RAJU PETER, S/O. PETER K.E., SOPANAM, KOCHERI HOUSE, MARIYATHURUTHU P.O., KOTTAYAM – 686 017, EPF A/C NO.KR/KTM/70/224 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/22425.`** ``` WP(C).No.15713 OF 2020 ``` ``` 4 ``` - **`28 M.A. PAUL, S/O. ALEXANDER.M.G., MANALIL HOUSE, OLD SEMINARY ROAD, CHUNGAM, KOTTAYAM – 686 001, EPF A/C NO.KR/KTM/0000071/000/0001085 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00030322.`** ``` 29SANIL P. THOMAS, S/O. THOMAS P.K., PANAYOLAYIL HOUSE, MARIATHURUTH P.O., KOTTAYAM – 686 027, EPF A/C NO.KR/KTM/0000071/000/0001339 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00039078. ``` ``` BY ADVS. SRI. V.V.NANDAGOPAL NAMBIAR SMT. SMITHA K.P SRI. DHEERAJ KRISHNAN PEROT SMT. CHITRA JOHNSON ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** - **`1 UNION OF INDIA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT, SHRAM SAKTHI BHAVAN, RAFFI MARGH, NEW DELHI – 110 001.`** - **`2 THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, NEW DELHI – 100 066.`** - **`3 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, KOCHI – 682 017.`** - **`4 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, TRIVANDRUM – 695 004.`** - **`5 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, KOZHIKODE – 673 006.`** - **`6 KERALA KAUMUDI, KAUMUDI BUILDING, KAUMUDI NAGAR, PETTAH, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – 695 024.`** - **`7 MANAGALAM PUBLICATIONS (I) PVT. LTD., MANGALAM COMPLEX, S.H.MOUNT P.O., KOTTAYAM – 686 006.`** - **`8 RASHTRA DEEPIKA LIMITED, OPP. NORTH RAILWAY STATION, HAJI K C M MATHER ROAD, ERNAKULAM – 682 018.`** ``` WP(C).No.15713 OF 2020 ``` ``` 5 ``` ``` 9MALAYALA MANORAMA CO.LTD., HEAD OFFICE AT MANORAMA JUNCTION, K. K ROAD, KOTTYAM – 686 001. ``` ``` SRI. P.VIJAYAKUMAR, ASG OF INDIA DR.ABRAHAM P.MEACHINKARA SRI. V.KRISHNA MENON SRI. JOMY GEORGE SRI. MILLU DANDAPANI SMT. P.VIJAYAMMA SRI. DEEPAK MOHAN SMT. J.SURYA SRI. R.PADMARAJ SRI. RISHAB S. SMT. CHITRA N. DAS ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 16.08.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` WP(C).No.15713 OF 2020 ``` ``` 6 ``` ## **`JUDGMENT`** ## This writ petition is filed seeking the following ## reliefs:- “i) a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or order directing respondents 2 to 5 to recalculate and re-fix the pension payable to the petitioners by determining pensionable salary taking into account average monthly pay drawn during the contributory period of service in the span of 12 months preceding the date of exit from the employees pension fund and by taking into account 8 1/3% of the full contribution made in relation to the petitioners by the 6[th] to 9[th] respondent establishments without imposing any artificial wage ceiling. ii) a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or order directing respondents 2 to 5 to pay forthwith the arrears of pension and the revised pension payable to the petitioners after refixation of the pension payable to petitioners, reckoning pensionable salary in terms of preamended paragraph 11 of the pension scheme and taking into account 8 1/3% of the full contribution made in relation to the petitioners by the 6[th] to 9[th] respondent establishments. iii) to hold that the petitioners are entitled to the benefits conferred by Ext.P2 judgment.” ## 2. The petitioners are retired employees of ``` WP(C).No.15713 OF 2020 ``` ``` 7 ``` respondents 6 to 9 establishments. They are subscribers of Employees’ Provident Fund. According to the petitioners, they are entitled for higher pension under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 as per the option exercised by them. It is their case that the pension has to be paid without limiting the amount to the maximum pensionable salary prescribed in paragraph 11(3) of the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995. 3. Dr.Abraham P.Meachinkara, the learned Standing Counsel for the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation submits that the question raised in the writ petition is now settled by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in **EPF Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar B and Others** [2022 SCC online SC 1521] and that the grievance of the petitioners raised in this writ petition will be considered in accordance with the directions therein. ``` WP(C).No.15713 OF 2020 ``` ``` 8 ``` In the light of the said submission, this writ petition is disposed of directing the competent among the respondents to re-consider the claims put forward by the petitioners in the light of the dictum laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the decision cited above within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. ## **`Sd/-`** ``` MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN JUDGE ``` SPR ``` WP(C).No.15713 OF 2020 ``` ``` 9 ``` ## **`APPENDIX`** ## **`PETITIONER’S EXHIBITS:-`** ``` EXHIBIT P1A TRUE COPY OF THE AMENDMENT AS PER GST NO.609(E) DATED 22.08.2014. EXHIBIT P2TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 12.10.2018 IN WPC.NO.13120/2015 REPORTED IN ILR 2019 (1) KERALA 614. ``` ``` RESPONDENTS EXHIBITS: NIL. ```