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High Court of KeralaSingle JudgePetition disposed of with direction to review p...

K. Jayachandran and others v Union of India, EPFO, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-1, Indian Rare Earth Ltd. and others

Case / Petition Number:WP(C) No. 14115/2023

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • Raja Vijayaraghavan V.
Judgment Date
2024-02-27
Court Decision / Holding
The petition is disposed of directing respondents 2 and 3 to review the option submitted by the petitioners and finalize the process in tune with the law laid down in Sunilkumar (supra), expeditiously, in any event within five months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment.
Final Disposition
Petition disposed of with direction to review petitioners’ options and finalize the process within five months in line with Sunilkumar ( supra)

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • K. JAYACHANDRAN
  • E.C. MATHEW FERIAH
  • M. SATHYASEELAN
  • MARTIN JUSTIN
  • JESUDAS NETTO
  • K. SREEKUMAR
  • P. RAJAN
  • S. DHARMARAJAN
  • A. MONY
  • B. JOSEPH FERNANDEZ
  • M. BASHEERKUTTY
  • R. WILFRED
  • K. VIJAYADHARAN
  • G. CHANDRAN PILLAI
  • D. GOPALAKRISHNAN
  • A. ABDUL LATHEEF
  • E. SHAHUL HAMEED
  • BABU T.
  • K. VIJAYAN
  • G. PUSHPARAJAN
  • B. BASHEER KUNJU
  • N. A. SREEDHARAN
  • R. RAMANAN
  • S. SASIDHARAN NAIR
  • N. RAJU
  • R. CHANRASENAN
  • C. VISWANATHAN
  • K. NAKULAN
  • D. SURENDRAN
  • D. LEELAKRISHNAN
  • FRANCIS XAVIOR
  • R. SIVADASAN
  • G. ESWARA DETH
  • K. ASHOKAN
  • D. VIJAYAN
  • R. BABUKUTTAN
  • V. SETHURAJAN
  • K. S. VIJAYAN

Respondents

  • UNION OF INDIA (UOI) represented by the Secretary to Govt. of India, Ministry of Labour & Department of Employment, New Delhi
  • ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, EPFO, Kollam
  • REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER-1 (PENSION, BHAVISHYA NITHI BHAVAN, NEW DELHI)
  • INDIAN RARE EARTH LTD., represented by UNIT HEAD CHAVARA, Kollam

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • P. N. MOHAN
  • • C. SABARI
  • • AMRUTHA SURESH
  • • GILROY ROZARIO

Counsels for Respondents

  • • SRI SAJEEV KUMAR K GOPAL (SC FOR EPFO)
  • • NITA N.S (Advocate for Indian Rare Earth Ltd)

Case Synopsis & Summary

This writ petition challenges pension disbursement under the Employees Pension Scheme, 1995 and its 2014 amendment in the wake of Supreme Court directions. The petitioners, retired employees of Indian Rare Earth Ltd., contend that changes ushered by the EPS Amendment, 2014 were upheld by the Apex Court and directions were issued (cited through Ext.P8). They state they have submitted Joint Option Forms before the 2nd respondent in accordance with those directions and allege inaction by the respondents in processing their claims for higher pension. They rely on the decisions in RC Gupta v. Regional PF Commissioner (Ext.P2) and the Sunil Kumar B line of authorities (Ext.P8) to press for higher pension under para 44(ix). They also argue that Ext.P4 options acknowledged by the employer and remitted contributions with administrative charges should be deemed timely. The respondents’ counsel contest the pace and mechanism of processing but do not dispute the legal framework. The Kerala High Court, after hearing, disposed of the petition by directing the 2nd and 3rd respondents to review the petitioners’ options and finalize the process consistent with the Sunilkumar line of authorities, within five months from receipt of a copy of the judgment, thereby ensuring compliance with the controlling directions.

Provisions of Law Cited

Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995Employees Pension (Amendment) Scheme, 2014para 44(ix) of Ext.P8 Judgment

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners state they are retired employees of the 4th respondent and are seeking higher pension under the EPS amendments, in line with the Supreme Court directions. They submit Joint Option Forms as directed and contend inaction by the respondents in processing these claims. They rely on RC Gupta v. Regional PF Commissioner and the Sunil Kumar B line of authorities to urge that higher pension is payable and that Ext.P4 options acknowledged by the employer should be treated as timely since contributions were remitted.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents contend the processing must follow established law and procedural safeguards. They argue that while the pension reforms and apex court directions provide a framework, the actual disbursement requires compliance with the EPFO’s schemes and administrative processes. The counsel for EPFO emphasizes governed timelines and the need for a measured, law-abiding review of options, and stresses the importance of adhering to directions in the cited authorities.

Cited Precedents (2)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Employees’ Provident Fund and Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar B2022 (7) KHC 12 (SC)PositiveSupreme Court decision upheld the pension-related changes and provided directions relied upon by the Kerala High Court; the judgment references para 44(ix) of Ext.P8.
R.C. Gupta v. Regional Provident Fund Commissioner2018 SCC 809PositiveCited in Ext.P2; form of proceedings and pension-related directions are anchored in this decision.

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Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

# **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** ## **`PRESENT`** ``` THEHONOURABLEMR.JUSTICERAJAVIJAYARAGHAVANV ``` # **`TUESDAY, THE 27`** `[TH]` **`DAY OF FEBRUARY 2024 / 8TH PHALGUNA, 1945`** ## **`WP(C) NO. 14115 OF 2023`** ## **`PETITIONER/S:`** ``` 1K.JAYACHANDRAN,AGED67YEARS,VISHAK, KULANGARABHAGOM,CHAVARA.P.O, KOLLAM-691583,PFA/CNO.KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001771 P.P.ONO:KR/KLM/00089053, 2E.C.MATHEWFERIAH,AGED67YEARS,PARADISE, PATTATHANAM,MUKUNDAPURAM.P.O,CHAVARA, KOLLAM-691583,PFA/C.NO:KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001315. P.P.O.NO:KR/KLM/00089353. 3M.SATHYASEELAN,AGED68YEARS,RATHEESHNIVAS, KULANGARABHAGOM,CHAVARA.P.O,KOLLAM-691583 PFA/C.NO:KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0002456 P.P.O.NO:KR/KLM/00084419. 4MARTINJUSTIN,AGED67YEARS,TONYDALE,MEKKADU, CHAVARA.P.O,PANMANA,KOLLAMPFA/C.NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001631P.P.O.NO: KR/KLM/00088555,,PIN-691583 5JESUDASNETTO,AGED70YEARS,RANIDALE, KULANGARABHAGOM,CHAVARA.P.O,KOLLAM-PFA/C.NO: KR/274A/1308.P.P.O.NO:KR/KLM/74690,,PIN- 691583 6K.SREEKUMAR,AGED70YEARS,SREEGEETHAM,PADASOUTH, KARUNAGAPPALLY,KOLLAM P.F.A/CNO:KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001318P.P.ONO: KR/KLM/00081074,PIN-690518 7P.RAJAN,AGED68YEARS,SYAMNIVAS,CHERUSSERIBHAGOM, CHAVARA.P.O,KOLLAM-PFA/CNO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0005316P.P.O.NO: KR/KLM/00084418,PIN-691583 8S.DHARMARAJAN,AGED68YEARS,PRASANNALAYAM, CHERUSSERIBHAGOM,CHAVARAP.O,KOLLAM-PFA/CNO: KR/KLM/0000274/004/0002026P.P.O.NO. KR/KLM/00088978,PIN-691583 ``` W.P.(C) No. 14115/2023 :2: - **`9 A.MONY, AGED 70 YEARS, AISWARYAM, CHERUSSERIBHAGOM, -`** - **`CHAVARA.P.O KOLLAM PF. A/C. NO. KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001125 PPO NO: KR/KLM/00077136, PIN - 691583`** - **`10 B.JOSEPH FERNANDEZ, AGED 69 YEARS, MINU DALE, CHERUSSERIBHAGOM, CHAVARA P.O, KOLLAM - PF A/C.NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001306 PPO NO: KR/KLM/00084996,, PIN - 691583`** - **`11 M.BASHEERKUTTY, AGED 69 YEARS, ARSHAD MANZIL, KIDANGAYAM, KANNIMEL NORTH, MYNAGAPPALLY, KOLLAM PF A/C NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001861 P.P.O NO: KR/KLM/00079774, PIN - 690519`** - **`12 R.WILFRED, AGED 68 YEARS, VIKAS BHAVANAM, PORUKKARA, EDAPPALLYKOTTA.P.O PANMANA, KOLLAM PF A/C NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001956 P.P.O NO: KR/KLM/00088871, PIN - 691583`** - **`13 K.VIJAYADHARAN, AGED 68 YEARS, VIMALALAYAM, EDAPPALLIKOTTA P.O, PANMANA P.O, KOLLAM PF A/C. NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001902 P.P.O. NO: KR/KLM/00089066, PIN - 691583`** - **`14 G.CHANDRAN PILLAI, AGED 68 YEARS, MAYOOKHAM, EDAKKULANGARA P.O, KOLLAM - PF A/C NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001984 P.P.O NO: KR/KLM/00088036, PIN - 690523`** - **`15 D.GOPALAKRISHNAN, AGED 68 YEARS, KRISHNA VILASAM, CHITTOOR, PANMANA, PONMANA P.O, KOLLAMPF A/C NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0002172 P.P.O NO: KR/KLM/00088870, PIN - 691583`** - **`16 A.ABDUL LATHEEF, AGED 68 YEARS, KAIPPALLIL, MUZHANGODI, THODIYOOR P.O, KOLLAM PF A/C NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001916 P.P.O. KR/KLM/00088509, PIN - 690568`** - **`17 E.SHAHUL HAMEED, AGED 70 YEARS, PALLIYUDE THEKKATHI, MUZHANGODI, THODIYOOR P.O, KOLLAM PF A/C NO: KR/274/A/1826 PPO NO: KR/KLM/68700, PIN - 690523`** - **`18 BABU.T., AGED 68 YEARS, KIZHAKKE KARIMPIL, PANMANA, CHAVARA PO, KOLLAM - PF A/ NO. KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001837 P.P.O NO: KR/KLM/0087635, PIN - 691583`** - **`19 K.VIJAYAN, AGED 68 YEARS, KATHIKA HOUSE, VADAKKUMTHALA EAST. P.O, KARUNAGAPPALLY, KOLLAMPF. A/C. NO. KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0002404 P.P.O NO: KR/KLM/00088034, PIN - 690536`** W.P.(C) No. 14115/2023 :3: - **`20 G.PUSHPARAJAN, AGED 68 YEARS, SHIBU NIVAS, KOTTACKAKOM, CHAVARA.P.O, KOLLAMPF.A/C.NO : KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0002516 P.P.O NO: KR/KLM/00089054, PIN - 691583`** - **`21 B.BASHEER KUNJU, AGED 68 YEARS, OTTAMAVILA PUTHENVEEDU, MYNAGAPPALLY, VADAKKAN MYNAGAPPALLY, KOLLAM PF A/C NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001962 P.P.O NO: KR/KLM/00088161, PIN - 690519`** - **`22 N.A.SREEDHARAN, AGED 70 YEARS, NADUKKUDIYIL, THOTTINUVADAKKU, CHAVARA P.O, KOLLAM - PF A/C. NO. KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0002542 P.P.O. NO. KR/KLM/00079775, PIN - 691583`** - **`23 R.RAMANAN, AGED 69 YEARS, AMPISSERIL VEEDU, CHERUSSERIBHAGOM, CHAVARA P.O., KOLLAM PF A/C NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001628 PPO NO: KR/KLM/00085095, PIN - 691583`** - **`24 S.SASIDHARAN NAIR, AGED 69 YEARS, VRINDAVAN, KALARI, PANMANA, KOLLAM PF A/C NO. KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001311 P.P.O NO. KR/KLM/00083481, PIN - 691583`** - **`25 N.RAJU, AGED 68 YEARS, RAREERAM, KOTTACKAKOM, CHAVARA P.O., KOLLAM - PF A/C NO. KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001671 P.P.O NO. KR/KLM/00089218, PIN - 691583`** - **`26 R. CHANRASENAN, AGED 70 YEARS, INDIRA SADANAM, NADUVATHUCHERRY PUTHENCHANTHA P.O., PANMANA, KOLLAM - PF A/C NO. KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0002385 P.P.O NO: KR/KLM/00078387, PIN - 691583`** - **`27 C.VISWANATHAN, AGED 68 YEARS, THONIYAMTHODATH, KULANGARABHAGOM, CHAVARA P.O KOLLAM P.F.A/C. NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0002507 P.P.O NO:KR/KLM/00089051, PIN - 691583`** - **`28 K.NAKULAN, AGED 90 YEARS, ANI BHAVANAM, -`** - **`CHERUSSERIBHAGOM CHAVARA P.O, KOLLAM P.F.A/C. NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0002082 P.P.O NO: KR/KLM/00080649, PIN - 691583`** - **`29 D.SURENDRAN, AGED 68 YEARS,KAILAS, VADUTHALA, PANMANA -`** - **`PUTHENCHANTHA P.O., KOLLAM P.F.A/C. NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001696 P.P.O NO: KR/KLM/0008154, PIN - 691583`** - **`30 D.LEELAKRISHNAN, AGED 67 YEARS, SREE VISAK, PADA SOUTH, KARUNAGAPPALLY P.O., KOLLAM -`** W.P.(C) No. 14115/2023 :4: - **`P.F.A/C. NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001764 P.P.O NO. KR/KLM/00090635, PIN - 690518`** - **`31 FRANCIS XAVIOR, AGED 68 YEARS, PSRA 38, PUNNATHALA -`** - **`THIRUMULLAVARAM P.O, KOLLAM P.F.A/C. NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001323 P.P.O NO: KR/KLM/00090871, PIN - 691012`** - **`32 R.SIVADASAN, AGED 69 YEARS, ANUGRAHA, MATHILIL P.O, -`** - **`PERINAD, KOLLAM P.F.A/C. NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001681 P.P.O NO: KR/KLM/00084115, PIN - 691601`** - **`33 G.ESWARA DETH, AGED 70 YEARS, SREEMANDIRAM, NALLEZHUTHU JUNCTION, THOTTINUVADAKKU, CHAVARA P.O, -`** - **`KOLLAM P.F.A/C. NO: 11430100066386 P.P.O NO. KR/KLM/77051, PIN - 691583`** - **`34 K.ASHOKAN, AGED 76 YEARS,SRAVANAM, KULANGARABHAGOM CHAVARA.P.O., KOLLAM - P.F.A/C. NO: KR /274A/791 P.P.O. NO: KR/TVM/46557, PIN - 691583`** - **`35 D.VIJAYAN, AGED 67 YEARS, CHAITHRAM, PADA SOUTH, -`** - **`KARUNAGAPPALLY.P.O., KOLLAM P.F.A/C. NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001291 P.P.O NO: KR/KLM/00089216, PIN - 690518`** - **`36 R.BABUKUTTAN, AGED 69 YEARS, BAVEESH BHAVAN, -`** - **`MUZHANGODI, THODIYOOR P.O, KOLLAM P.F.A/C. NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0002290 P.P.O NO: KR/KLM/00083480, PIN - 690523`** - **`37 V.SETHURAJAN, AGED 69 YEARS, AROMA MALAR, -`** - **`CHAVARA.P.O., KOLLAM P.F.A/C. NO: KR/KLM/0000274/00A/0001352 P.P.O. NO. KR/KLM/00085024, PIN - 691583`** - **`38 K.S. VIJAYAN, AGED 70 YEARS, GEETHA BHAVANAM, -`** - **`PADASOUTH KARUNAGAPPALLY, KOLLAM P.F.A/C. NO: KR/274A/1883 PPO NO: KR/KLM/71896, PIN - 690518 BY ADVS.P.N.MOHANANC.P.SABARIAMRUTHA SURESHGILROY ROZARIO`** ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** - **`1 UNION OF INDIA (UOI), REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVT. OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF LABOUR & DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT, NEW DELHI, PIN - 110001`** - **`2 ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION (EPFO)BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, KOLLAM, PIN - 691001`** W.P.(C) No. 14115/2023 :5: - **`3 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER-1 (PENSION, BHAVISHYA NITHI BHAVAN, 14- BHIKAJI CAMA PALACE, NEW DELHI, PIN - 110066`** - **`4 INDIAN RARE EARTH LTD., REPRESENTED BY UNIT HEAD CHAVARA, KOLLAM, PIN - 691001 BY ADV NITA N.S`** ``` OTHERPRESENT: ``` ## **`SRI SAJEEV KUMAR K GOPAL, SC FOR EPFO`** ``` THISWRITPETITION(CIVIL)HAVINGCOMEUPFORADMISSIONON 27.02.2024,THECOURTONTHESAMEDAYDELIVEREDTHEFOLLOWING: ``` W.P.(C) No. 14115/2023 :6: ## **JUDGMENT** The petitioners state that they are retired employees in the service of the 4th respondent. The changes brought about by the Employees Pension (Amendment) Scheme, 2014, and the provisions of the Employees Pension Scheme, 1995 were the subject matter of consideration before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, and the same was upheld in **Employees’ Provident Fund and Organisation and Another[1]** and certain directions were issued. The petitioner contends that in terms of the directions issued by the Apex Court, the petitioners have submitted their Joint Option Forms before the 2nd respondent. Their grievance concerns the inaction on the part of the respondents in processing the application in an expeditious manner. It is on these assertions that this writ petition is filed seeking the following reliefs: i) issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ order or direction directing the second respondent to disburse higher pension in the light of Ext.P2 Judgment in R.C.Gupta’s case and in the light of direction contained in para 44 (ix) of Ext.P8 Judgment. > 1 Employees’ Provident Fund and Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar B [2022 (7) KHC 12] W.P.(C) No. 14115/2023 :7: - ii) declare that all the petitioners are entitled to get higher pension in the light of para 44 (ix) of Ext.P8 Judgment within the time frame fixed by this Hon’ble Court. - iii) declare that the Ext.P4 and similar options submitted by the fourth respondent employer which was acknowledged by the second respondent, is sufficient option as the petitioners and their employer remitted the PF contribution on actual salary along with administrative charge and it was accepted by the second respondent then and there and it is deemed to be exercised in time in the light of Ext.P9 & P11. 2. I have heard Sri. P.N. Mohanan, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and the learned Standing Counsel appearing for respondents. 3. Having considered the facts and circumstances and the submissions advanced by both parties, this writ petition is disposed of directing respondents 2 and 3 to review the Option submitted by the petitioners and finalize the process in tune with the law laid down in **Sunilkumar** (supra) expeditiously, in any event, within five months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. The petitioners shall produce a copy of the writ petition along with this judgment before the W.P.(C) No. 14115/2023 :8: concerned respondent to ensure compliance. Sd/- **RAJA VIJAYARAGHAVAN V, JUDGE** PS/27/2/24 W.P.(C) No. 14115/2023 :9: ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 14115/2023`** ## **`PETITIONER EXHIBITS`** ``` ExhibitP1ATRUECOPYOFTHEJUDGMENTOFTHEDIVISIONBENCH INSASIKUMARV.UNIONOFINDIAREPORTEDINILR 2019(1)KER614 ExhibitP2ATRUECOPYOFTHEJUDGMENTINR.C.GUPTAVS. REGIONALPFCOMMISSIONERASREPORTEDIN2018(14) SCC809 ExhibitP3ATRUECOPYOFTHEDECREEDATED04.10.2016IN EXT.P2JUDGMENT ExhibitP4ATRUECOPYOFTHELETTERDATED01.06.2020OFTHE FOURTHRESPONDENTADDRESSEDTOTHESECOND RESPONDENT ExhibitP5ATRUECOPYOFTHELETTERDATED03.09.2020OFTHE SECONDRESPONDENT ExhibitP6ATRUECOPYOFTHELETTERDATED22.09.2020OFTHE FOURTHRESPONDENT ExhibitP7ATRUECOPYOFTHELETTERDATED18.09.2020OFTHE SECONDRESPONDENT ExhibitP8ATRUECOPYOFTHEJUDGMENTINEMPLOYEESPROVIDENT FUNDORGANISATIONANDANOTHERV.SUNILKUMARBAND OTHERSASREPORTEDIN2022(7)KHC12(SC) ExhibitP9ATRUECOPYOFTHEORDERDATED22.01.2019ISSUEDBY THEADDITIONALCENTRALPROVIDENTFUNDCOMMISSIONER ExhibitP10ATRUECOPYOFTHEORDERDATED07.02.2019OFTHE ADDITIONALCENTRALPFCOMMISSIONER ExhibitP11ATRUECOPYOFTHECIRCULARDATED22.11.2006OFTHE ADDITIONALCENTRALPFCOMMISSIONER ```