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High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeDisposed of with directions to file an appropri...

K. Vinayan Pillai and Others v Union of India and Others

Case / Petition Number:WP(C) No. 8886 of 2020

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • Sathish Ninan
Judgment Date
2023-10-13
Court Decision / Holding
Disposed of with directions to file an appropriate application seeking enhanced pension in terms of the amended EPF Scheme, to be considered by the appropriate authority of the Organisation without delay.
Final Disposition
Disposed of with directions to file an appropriate application seeking enhanced pension in terms of the amended EPF Scheme, to be considered by the appropriate authority without delay.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • K.VINAYAN PILLAI
  • A.SHANMUKHAN PILLAI
  • K.SOMAN
  • G.RAMACHANDRAN
  • S.VENU PILLAI
  • K.RAMESAN
  • A.RAHIM
  • C.REGHU
  • K.SREEDHARAN
  • M.RAHIM
  • K.YESODHARAN
  • M.RAHIM
  • G.RAJAN
  • B.RAJENDRAN PILLAI
  • BSIVANKUTTY PILLAI
  • K.GOPALAKRISHNA PILLAI
  • P.RAVI
  • A.NAZARUDEENKUNJU
  • P.MURALIDHARAN PILLAI
  • E.JAMALUDEEN KUNJU
  • D.MOHANAN PILLAI
  • V.OMANAKUTTAN PILLAI
  • P.BABUKUTTAN PILLAI
  • G.UNNIKRISHNA PILLAI
  • M.JAGADEVAN
  • S.MAHADEVAN ILLAI
  • R.BABU
  • G.RAVILAL
  • N.SASIDHARAN PILLAI
  • C.RAJENDRAN NAIR
  • N.VENUGOPAL
  • S.PRASAD
  • A.ABDUL LATHEEF
  • ABDUL SALAM.J
  • J.RADHAKRISHNA PILLAI
  • M.ISMAILKUNJU
  • L.ANIL KUMAR
  • OMANAKUTTA KURUP.D
  • N.ANIL KUMAR
  • C.THULASEEDHARAN PILLAI
  • C.P.PADMA KUMAR
  • G.UNNIKRISHNA PILLAI
  • J.RAJU
  • P.SIVASANKARA PILLAI
  • G.MANIYAN PILLAI
  • B.VIJAYAN
  • B.APPUKUTTAN PILLAI
  • V.REGHU
  • S.SIVAN
  • S.SAJU
  • V.PRASANNA KUMAR
  • N.AJAYAN
  • R.LEONS
  • D.SURENDRAN
  • R.RAJU
  • R.SIVANKUTTY PILLAI
  • S.SIVARAMAN
  • R.RAJAJI
  • A.ISMAIL KUNJU
  • G.SUDARSANAN PILLAI
  • R.SATHEESAN
  • S.RAJAN P ILLAI
  • H.AFSAL
  • V.SATHEESAN PILLAI

Respondents

  • UNION OF INDIA (UOI), represented by the Secretary to Govt. of India, Ministry of Labour and Department of Employment, New Delhi-110001
  • REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION (EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, PATTOM PALACE, THIRUVANANTHURAM, PIN-695004
  • ASSISTANT PROVISIONAL FUND COMMISSIONER, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION (EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, KOLLAM-691001
  • EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND TRUSTEE, REPRESENTED BY MANAGING TRUSTEE, EPF OFFICE, BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN, WAZIRPUR, NEW DELHI-PIN-110001
  • REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER-1(PENSIN) BHAVISHYA NITHI BHAVAN, 14-BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE, NEW DELHI-1
  • INDIAN RARE EARTH LTD., REPRESENTED BY UNIT HEAD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM-691001

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Respondents

  • • SHRI P.VIJAYAKUMAR, ASG OF INDIA
  • • SRI PIRAPPANCODE V.S SUDHIR, SC, EPFO ORGN
  • • Pirappancode V.Sudheer
  • • V.S AKASH S. (K/980/2008)
  • • GIRISH KUMAR M S (K/001593/2018)
  • • RAJALAKSHMI.R. (K/001978/2023)

Case Synopsis & Summary

This writ petition (WP(C) 8886/2020) before the Kerala High Court by a large group of contract workers and a welfare forum seeks higher pension under the Employees' Provident Fund Scheme as amended in 2014. The petitioners contend that the amended scheme provides enhanced pension benefits and seek directions to implement these benefits for their members. The Union of India and EPFO respondents oppose direct grant of enhanced pension without following the amended scheme's procedural requirements. The court notes that the Supreme Court has upheld the validity of the 2014 amendment, as held in Employees' Provident Fund Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar.B. The learned counsel for the respondents submits that petitioners may file fresh applications under the amended scheme; such applications would be construed and decided in line with the scheme and the Supreme Court's directions. The Kerala High Court disposes of the petition by permitting the petitioners to file appropriate applications seeking enhanced pension under the amended scheme and directs that, upon submission, the relevant EPFO authorities consider the claim without delay. The Appendix lists earlier judgments and exhibits referenced by the parties, reflecting the evolving interpretation of pension under the EPF Scheme. Significantly, the order clarifies that the remedy is to file fresh applications rather than grant relief in the writ petition, respecting the scheme's procedural regime and ensuring uniform application across the EPFO's jurisdiction. The bench emphasizes swiftness in consideration and reiterates the Supreme Court's directions, thereby aligning the petitioners' expectations with the amended legal framework. The decision thus leaves the petitioners with an avenue to obtain enhanced pension by invoking the amended scheme in due course, while maintaining the integrity of the legal process.

Provisions of Law Cited

Employees' Provident Fund Scheme – 2014 amendment

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners claim entitlement to higher pension under the Employees’ Provident Fund Scheme – 2014 amendment. They contend that the amended scheme provides enhanced pension benefits and seek directions to implement these benefits for their members. They rely on the Apex Court's validation of the amended scheme and the need for timely implementation of the pension benefits.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents, through their counsel, submit that the amended EPF Scheme has been upheld by the Supreme Court in Sunil Kumar.B, and thus the petitioners should file fresh applications under the amended scheme. They contend that the petition cannot be granted piecemeal and that the relief must follow the scheme and Supreme Court directions.

Cited Precedents (6)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar.B.2022(7)KHC 12PositiveSupreme Court upheld the validity of the amended EPF Scheme, supporting entitlement to enhanced pension under the amended scheme.
I.L.R 2019(1) Ker 614Mentioned OnlyExhibit P4 refers to this judgment; not discussed in the judgment's reasoning in this excerpt.
WP(C) 6643/2007Mentioned OnlyExhibit P1 indicates a judgment in WP(C) 6643/2007; case name not provided in the document.
WP(C) 27588/2019Mentioned OnlyExhibit P5 cites this WP(C) petition; case name not provided in document.
SLP 7074/2014Mentioned OnlyExhibit P2 cites this SLP; case name not provided in document.
SLP 9610/2019Mentioned OnlyExhibit P6 cites this SLP; case name not provided in document.

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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 FRIDAY, THE 13[TH] DAY OF OCTOBER 2023 / 21ST ASWINA, 1945 WP(C) NO. 8886 OF 2020** ## **PETITIONERS:** - 1 K.VINAYAN PILLAI,(MEMBER NO.13) AGED 50 YEARS IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2677, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 2 A.SHANMUKHAN PILLAI(MEMBER NO.38) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2702, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 3 K.SOMAN(MEMBR NO.73) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2737, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 4 G.RAMACHANDRAN(MEMBER NO.82) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2746, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 5 S.VENU PILLAI(MEMBER NO.89) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2753, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 6 K.RAMESAN(MEMBER NO.119) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2783, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 7 A.RAHIM(MEMBER NO.139) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2803, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 8 C.REGHU(MEMBER NO.140) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2804, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. Wpc no.8886 of 2020 -: 2 :- - 9 K.SREEDHARAN,(MEMBER NO.164) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2828, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 10 M.RAHIM(MEMBER NO.179) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2843, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 11 K.YESODHARAN(MEMBER NO.195), IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2859, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 12 M.RAHIM,(MEMBER NO.221) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2885, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 13 G.RAJAN,(MEMBER NO.231) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2895, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 14 B.RAJENDRAN PILLAI(MEMBER NO.245) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2909, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 15 BSIVANKUTTY PILLAI, (MEMBER NO.249) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2913, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 16 K.GOPALAKRISHNA PILLAI,(MEMBER NO.257), IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2921, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 17 P.RAVI(MEMBER NO.267) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2931, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 18 A.NAZARUDEENKUNJU,(MEMBER NO.294) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2958, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. Wpc no.8886 of 2020 ## -: 3 :- - 19 P.MURALIDHARAN PILLAI(MEMBER NO.320) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/2984, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 20 E.JAMALUDEEN KUNJU,(MEMBER NO.349) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/3013, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 21 D.MOHANAN PILLAI,(MEMBER NO.359), IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/3023, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 22 V.OMANAKUTTAN PILLAI,(MEMBER NO.373) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/3037, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 23 P.BABUKUTTAN PILLAI,(MEMBER NO.417) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/3081, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 24 G.UNNIKRISHNA PILLAI(MEMBER NO.1271) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/3918, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 25 M.JAGADEVAN(MEMBER NO.1274) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/3921, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 26 S.MAHADEVAN ILLAI,(MEMBER NO.1275) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/3922, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 27 R.BABU(MEMBER NO.1295) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/3942, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 28 G.RAVILAL(MEMBER NO.1296) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/3943, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. Wpc no.8886 of 2020 ## -: 4 :- - 29 N.SASIDHARAN PILLAI(MEMBER NO.1304) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/3950, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 30 C.RAJENDRAN NAIR(MEMBER NO.1309) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/3954, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 31 N.VENUGOPAL, (MEMBER NO.1314) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/3961, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 32 S.PRASAD,(MEMBER NO.1315) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/3962 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 33 A.ABDUL LATHEEF, (MEMBER NO.1457) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4281 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 34 ABDUL SALAM.J(MEMBER NO.1463), IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4287 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 35 J.RADHAKRISHNA PILLAI,(MEMBER N O.1465) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4289 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 36 M.ISMAILKUNJU,(MEMBER NO.1466) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4290 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 37 L.ANIL KUMAR,(MEMBER N O.1468) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4292 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 38 OMANAKUTTA KURUP.D(MEMBER NO.1577), IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A4399/ , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. Wpc no.8886 of 2020 -: 5 :- - 39 N.ANIL KUMAR(MEMBER NO.1596) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4424 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 40 C.THULASEEDHARAN PILLAI(MEMBER NO.16500, IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4480 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 41 C.P.PADMA KUMAR, (MEMBER NO.1651), IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4481 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 42 G.UNNIKRISHNA PILLAI(MEMBER NO.1653) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4483 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 43 J.RAJU(MEMBER NO.1671), IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4501 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 44 P.SIVASANKARA PILLAI,(MEMBER NO.1679) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4509, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 45 G.MANIYAN PILLAI,(MEMBER NO.1755) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4585 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 46 B.VIJAYAN, (MEMBER NO.1756), IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4586 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 47 B.APPUKUTTAN PILLAI(MEMBER NO.1775), IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4606 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 48 V.REGHU(MEMBER NO.1786) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4617 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. Wpc no.8886 of 2020 -: 6 :- - 49 S.SIVAN(MEMBER NO.1787) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4618 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 50 S.SAJU(MEMBER NO.1788) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4619, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 51 V.PRASANNA KUMAR(MEMBER NO.1780) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4621 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 52 N.AJAYAN(MEMBER NO.1896) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4726 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 53 R.LEONS,(MEMBER NO.1898) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4728 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 54 D.SURENDRAN,(MEMBER NO.1900), IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4730 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 55 R.RAJU(MEMBER NO.1910) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4740, IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 56 R.SIVANKUTTY PILLAI,(MEMBER NO.1913) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4743 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 57 S.SIVARAMAN(MEMBER NO.1940) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4770 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 58 R.RAJAJI,(MEMBER NO.1942) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4772 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. Wpc no.8886 of 2020 ## -: 7 :- - 59 A.ISMAIL KUNJU(MEMBER NO.1957) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4852 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 60 G.SUDARSANAN PILLAI(MEMBER NO.1967) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4862 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 61 R.SATHEESAN(MEMBER NO.1972) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4867 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 62 S.RAJAN P ILLAI(MEMBER NO.1980) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4875 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 63 H.AFSAL,(MEMBER NO.1982) IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4877 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. - 64 V.SATHEESAN PILLAI(MEMBER NO.1986), IRE BAGGING CONTRACT WORKERS WELFARE FORUM EPS ACCOUNT NUMBER KR/KLM/274-A/4881 , IREL(INIDA) LTD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM. BY ADVS. 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-110001. - 2 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION(EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, PATTOM PALACE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN-695004 Wpc no.8886 of 2020 -: 8 :- - 3 ASSISTNAT PROVISIONAL FUND COMMISSIONER, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION (EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, KOLLAM-691001 - 4 EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND TRUSTEE, REPRESENTED BY MANAGING TRUSTEE, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND OFFICE, BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN, WAZIRPUR, NEW DELHI-PIN-110001 - 5 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER-1(PENSIN) BHAVISHYA NITHI BHAVAN, 14-BHIKAJI CAMA PLACE, NEW DELHI-1 - 6 INDIAN RARE EARTH LTD., REPRESENTED BY UNIT HEAD, CHAVARA, KOLLAM691001 BY ADVS. SHRI.P.VIJAYAKUMAR, ASG OF INDIA SRI.PIRAPPANCODE V.S.SUDHIR,SC,EPF ORGN Pirappancode V.S.Sudheer V.S AKASH S.(K/980/2008) GIRISH KUMAR M S(K/001593/2018) RAJALAKSHMI.R.(K/001978/2023) THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 13.10.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ## **Sathish Ninan, J. ============================== W.P(C) No.8886 of 2020 ========================== Dated this the 13[th] 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 application seeking enhanced pension in terms of the **W.P(C) No.8886 of 2020** -: 2 :- 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** SVP ## **APPENDIX OF WP(C) 8886/2020** |PETITIONER EXHIBITS|| |---|---| |EXHIBIT P1|A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED| ||4.11.2011 IN WP(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| ||20.02.2007 ISSUED BY THE SECOND| ||RESPONDENT| |EXHIBIT P4|A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT AS REPORTED| ||IN I.L.R 2019(1) KER 614| |EXHIBIT P5|A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED| ||25.02.2020 IN WP(C)NO.27588/2019| |EXHIBIT P6|6A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED| ||01.04.2019 IN SLP NO.9610/2019| |RESPONDENT EXHIBITS|| |EXHIBIT R4 A|TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 12.07.2019| ||OF THE HONOURABLE SUPREME COURT IN| ||S.L.P.CIVIL D.NO.11023/2019| |EXHIBIT R4 B|TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 06.02.2020| ||IN CONTEMPT PETITION C NO.1917-1918/2018| ||IN C.A. NO.10013-10014/2016 AND| ||CONNECTED WRIT PETITIONS.| |EXHIBIT R4 C|TRUE OCPY OF THE REPORT DATED 27.12.2018| |EXHIBIT R4 D|TRUE COPY OF THE EXPLANATORY STATEMENT| ||DATED 20.06.2019| |EXHIBIT R4 E|TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 030.03.2020| ||OF THE MADHYA PRADESH, INDORE BENCH IN| ||WPC. NO. 20572-2018|