M. M. Paulose and others v Union of India and others

## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** # **PRESENT** # **THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN TUESDAY, THE 22[ND] DAY OF AUGUST 2023 / 31ST SRAVANA, 1945** ## **WP(C) NO. 13731 OF 2020** ## **PETITIONERS:** 1 M.M.PAULOSE AGED 60 YEARS S/O M.V.MATHAPPAN,MALIAKKAL HOUSE, MALIAKKAL HOUSE,KUZHUPPILLY,AYYAMPILLY, ERNAKULAM-682501,EPFA A/C NO.KR/KCH/0002702/00B/0000097 P .P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00099503. 2 S.SASI, AGED 65 YEARS S/O EMS NAMBOODIRAPPAD,ELAMKULAM, CENTRAL PARK,NEAR KENDRIYA,VIDYALAYA, PURANATTUKARA,THRISSUR-680551, EPF A/C NO.KR/KCH/0002702/00B/0000033 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00077372 3 K.SGIRIJA, AGED 59 YEARS D/O K.N.SANKARAN NAMBOODIRI, ELAMKULAM,CENTRAL PARK,NEAR KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA,PURANATTUKARA,THRISSUR680551 EPF A/C NO.KR/KCH/0002702/00B/0000011 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00111173 4 A.V.VIJAYARAGHAVAN, AGED 61 YEARS S/O VELUKKUTTY,HOUSE NO.41,ARAKKAL HOUSE, EVANNOOR PADAM,CHEROOR.P.O,THRISSUR-680008, EPF A/C NO.KR/KCH/0002702/OOB/0000066 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/170600011016 5 P.K.RAJAN, AGED 59 YEARS S/O KUNJAPAPPU,PULIKKAL HOUSE, POONKUNNAM.P.O, THRISSUR-680002, EPF A/C NO.KR/KCH/0002702/00B/0000048 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00111308. 6 K.K.BABU, AGED 60 YEARS S/O K.M.KUMARAN,KATTIL HOUSE,AVITTATHOOR.P.O, IRINJALAKUDA,THRISSUR-6800683 EPF A/C NO.KR/KCH/0002702/00B/0000038 P.P.O.NKO.KR/KCH/00112484 7 P.JAYALALAKSHMI, AGED 70 YEARS D/O PADMANABHAN NAIR.M,9/451 DURGA, KODUTHIRAPPULLI,PALAKKAD-678004,EPF A/C ``` WP(C) NO. 13731 OF 2020 ``` ``` 2 ``` NO.KR/KCH/0002702/00B/0000018 P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/40463 - 8 K.RADHAKRISHNAN, AGED 64 YEARS S/O KUNJIKRISHNAN NAIR,LAKSHMI SADAN, NARANGAPETTA,MANNARKKAD.P.O, PALAKKAD678582 EPF A/C NO.KR/KCH/0019729/000/0000001 P.P.O NO.KR/KCH/150900006244 - 9 SUDHA.K.P, AGED 59 YEARS D/O E.K.NAYANAR,SARADAS,KALIASSERI, P O KALLIASSERI,KANNUR DT.EPF A/C NO.KR/KNR/14109/34,P.P.O.NO.63245 - 10 P.P.KARUNAKARAN, AGED 59 YEARS THADIYAN KOVVAL,UDINOOR.P.O, THRIKARIPUR VIA,KASARAGOD-671310 EPF A/C NO.KR/KNR/14109/66, P.P.O.NO.64013. - 11 K.M.KUNJIKANNAN, AGED 59 YEARS S/O CHANDAN,CHEMBRAKANAM VEEDU, KAYYOOR ROAD,CHEMBRAKANAM,THIMIRI.P.O, CHERUVATHUR VIA,KASARAGOD-671351 EPF A/C NO.KR/KNR/14109/76 P.P.O.NO.64013 - 12 P.P.BALAN, AGED 59 YEARS S/O KUNHAPPA,PUTHIYAPURAYIL HOUSE, NIDUVALOOR,P.O.CHUZHALI,KANNUR DT, EPF A/C NO.KR/KNR/14109/45 P.P.O.NO.64013 - 13 MADHUSOODAN.P, AGED 59 YEARS S/O GOVINDAN.M.P,MOYARATH HOUSE, CHALA EAST .P.O,KANNUR-670621, EPF A/C NO.KR/KNR/14109/57 P.P.O.NO.64457 - 14 PRADEEP.K, AGED 60 YEARS S/O GOPALAN,POURNAMI,KIZHUNNA.P.O, KANNUR DT.EPF A/C NO.KR/KNR/14117/10 P.P.O.NO.64457 - 15 LAKSHMIKUTTY.P.V, AGED 64 YEARS D/O AMBU NAIR,PERIYANAM VEEDU, PADINHATTAM KOZHUVAL NILESWAR, KASARAGOD DT. EPF A/C NO.KR/KNR/14109/37 P.P.O.NO.49306. - 16 HAREENDRAN.P, ``` WP(C) NO. 13731 OF 2020 ``` ``` 3 ``` AGED 64 YEARS S/O GOVINDAN,LEELA NIVAS,MUZHAKKUNNU.P.O, PERAVOOR VIA,KANNUR DT. EPF A/C NO.KR/KNR/14109/50 P.P.O.NO.61153. - 17 RAGHAVAN.K, AGED 64 YEARS S/O RAMAN.K,KASTOORI BHAVAN,EACHOOR.P.O, KANNUR DT.EPF A/C NO.KR/KNR/14109/97 P.P.O.NO.49264. - 18 SARASA.V, AGED 64 YEARS D/O KRISHNAN,VAYAKKALI HOUSE, ARAYAMETH,P O CHIRAKKAL,KANNUR DT. EPF A/C NO.KR/KNR/14117/15, P.P.O.NO.48782 - 19 THAMBAN.K, AGED 59 YEARS - S/O E RAMAN,KUTTIATT HOUSE, POLLAPPOIL,KODAKKAD,THRIKARIPUR VIA, EPF A/C NO.KR/KNR/14109/30 P.P.O.NO.65347 - 20 SOMAN.K, AGED 59 YEARS S/O LATE.AMERY RAGHAVAN,AMERY HOUSE, NARATH.P.O, KANNUR DT. EPF A/C NO.KR/KNR/14117/12 P.P.O.NO.64021 - 21 PRASANNAN.V.P, AGED 62 YEARS - S/O V.K.PARAMESWARAN,SREELAKSHMI, KUNNAMTHANAM,THIRUVALLA-689581 EPF A/C NO.KR/KTM/0002702//00A/0000087 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00038/20 - 22 SANTHOSHKUMAR.C.P, AGED 63 YEARS - S/O N.K.PARAMESWARAN,CHITTEZATH NIKARTHIL, KUMBALAM.P.O, ERNAKULAM,KERALA-682506 EPF A/C NO.KR/KCH/0002702/000/0000090 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00091166 - 23 SREENARAYANAN.V, AGED 60 YEARS S/O.V.N.VENUGOPAL,VYLOPPILLY NAGAR, VYLOPPILLY LANE,KOCHI-682017. EPF A/C NO.KR/KCH/002702/000/0000089 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00106181 - 24 VARGHESE.K.I, AGED 60 YEARS ``` WP(C) NO. 13731 OF 2020 ``` ``` 4 ``` S/O.K.U.ITTAN,KUZHIPPANATHIL HOUSE, KANAYANNOOR,CHOTTANIKKARA,P.O, ERNAKULAM682312 EPF A/C NO.KR/KCH/3311/63 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/104799 - 25 E.PADMAKUMAR, AGED 60 YEARS S/O.M.K.PADMANABHAN,PAVITHRAM, SREENARAYANA ROAD,ELAMAKKARA, ERNAKULAM-682026 EPF A/C NO.KR/KCH/0002702/000/0000140 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00083825 26 SURESHKUMAR.M.K, AGED 61 YEARS S/O.MADHAVAN PILLAI,GAYATHRI HOUSE, KUSAVARKAL,MUKKOLA(P.O),THIRUVANANTHAPURAM695043 EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000733 P.P.O.NO.KR/TVM/12640 27 M.K.KAMALAN, AGED 59 YEARS S/O.KRISHNAN.K,TC 64/194(TC 52/2664 NEW), VIPANCHIKA,KAIMANAM,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM695018. EPF A/C NO.KR/TVM/12256/53 P.P.O.NO.KR/TVM/00088302. - 28 MANOHARAN.M.V, AGED 60 YEARS S/O.MADHAVAN NAIR.K,TC 81/102(NEW),TC 25/461(OLD), GNRA 9,DEVI LANE,THAMPANOOR,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001 EPF A/C NO.KR/TVM/12640/000/0000001 P.P.O.NO.KR/TVM/00085131 - 29 MOHANACHANDRAN NAIR.S, AGED 60 YEARS S/O.SADASIVAN PILLAI,ANITHA BHAVAN, KULATHINKARA,PEYAD,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM695573 EPF A/C NO.KR/TVM/12256/91 P.P.O.NO.KR/TVM/00084224 - 30 GOPAKUMAR.C, AGED 60 YEARS S/O.CHAKRAPANI,SRA 28,TC-48/851(1), 'DIYA',KONCHIRAVILA,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM695009 EPF A/C N.KR/TVM/0012256/156 P.P.O.NO.KR/TVM/00084958/07.01.2018 - 31 MONAHAN NAIR.K, AGED 59 YEARS - S/O KRISHNAN NAIR,KOCHUPUTHANVEEDU, BHANDRA ``` WP(C) NO. 13731 OF 2020 ``` ``` 5 ``` NAGAR,PACHALLOOR.P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM695009 EPF A/C NO.KR/TVM/0012256/81 P.P.O.NO.KR/TVM/00085775 - 32 N.THANKACHAN, AGED 64 YEARS S/O.C.K.NANAPPAN,CHELLIKANDATHIL HOUSE, KANJIKUZHI,MUHAMMA.P.O, ALAPPUZHA-688525 EPF A/C NO.KR/KTM/0002702/00A/000019 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00093414 - 33 PRADEEPKUMAR.C.J, AGED 60 YEARS S/O.C.V.JALADHARAN,CHEMPAKASHERI PARAMBU, BEACH ROAD,ALAPPUZHA,KERALA-688012 EPF A/C NO.KR/KCH/0002702/000/0000247 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00105510 34 BABUKUTTAN.K.K, AGED 60 YEARS S/O.KRISHNANKUTTY,KOTTADIYIL, THALAYOLAPARAMBU(P.O),KOTTAYAM-686605 EPF A/C KR/KTM/0002702/00A/0000038 P.P.O.NO.KR/KTM/00042979 35 SHAJI.T.M, AGED 60 YEARS S/O.T.K.MADHAVAN,'SHAJI BHAVAN', AYANAM(P.O),KOTTAYAM-686015 EPF A/C NO.KR/KTM/0002702/00A/0000065 P.P.P.NO.KR/KTM/00041648 - 36 VENU.P.B, AGED 65 YEARS S/O BALAKRISHNAN,AZAD ROAD,P S ROAD, KALOOR,KOCHI-682017 EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000117 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00082540. 37 V.S.JAYARAJ, AGED 70 YEARS S/O P.VENKITESWARAN,71/1454A,THANNIKKAL WEST LANE,(TRA59)ELAMAKKARA,KOCHI,KERALA-682026 EPF A/C NO.KR/2790/109 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00050877 - 38 FRANCIS XAVIER.K.X, AGED 59 YEARS - S/O.XAVIER.K.V,KAITHAVELIKKAKATH, ETTUKATTU TEMPLE ROAD,ELAMAKKARA(PO), KOCHI-682026 EPF.A/C NO.KR/KKD/000279/000/0000570 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00114021 ``` WP(C) NO. 13731 OF 2020 ``` ``` 6 ``` - 39 ISMAIL.P.M, AGED 59 YEARS S/O.MOOSA.P.A,KUNDUVALIPARAMBIL, VAZHAKALA SOUTH,KAKKANAD,ERNAKULAM-682030 EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000 279/000/0000593 P.P.NO.KR/KCH/00115927 - 40 A.C.ANTONY, AGED 65 YEARS S/O CHEEKKU,AYYAKARAPARAMBIL HOUSE, NEAR ST.ANTONYS CHURCH,HOUSE NO.SARRA37, KALOOR,KOCHI-682017 EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/00000279/000/00294 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00079375 - 41 UMESH GOVIND, AGED 65 YEARS S/O.P.GOVINDA SHENOY,MULLACKAL BAGAWATHI TEMPLE LANE,HOUSE NO.7/967 MATTANCHERRY,KOCHI-682002, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000198 P.P.O.KR/KCH/00078424 - 42 K.N.LATHANATHAN, AGED 68 YEARS - S/O.K.C.NARAYANAN,KAMBALATH HOUSE, EROOR NORTH.P.O,TRIPUNITHURA,ERNAKULAM682306,P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00064255 - 43 V.S.JAYAKRISHNAN, AGED 59 YEARS - S/O.V.V.SHIVASANKARAN,VRINDAVAN,2-CROSS, AYYAPPANKAVU ROAD,P.O.KANIMANGALAM, THRISSUR-680027 EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000959 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/000113733 - 44 A.M.HARIKUMAR, AGED 59 YEARS - S/O.T.RAMANUNNI NAIR,KARTHIKA, KARAPULLI PARAMBA,GOVINDAPURAM.P.O, CALICUT-16EPF A/C N.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000472 P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00070770 - 45 S.KRISHNAKUMAR, AGED 59 YEARS S/O.SANKARAWARRIER,'HARIPRIYA',M.G.ROAD IRINJALAKUDA,THRISSUR-680121 EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000454 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00113735 ``` WP(C) NO. 13731 OF 2020 ``` ``` 7 ``` 46 P.P.JATHEENDRAN, AGED 62 YEARS S/O LATE CHATHUKUTTY,XANADU,ESTEEM VILLA, HOMEO COLLEGE,KARAPARAMBA,CALICUT-673010, EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000487 P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00059950 47 K.K.MATHEW, AGED 68 YEARS S/O KOCHU VAREET,KACHAPPILLY HOUSE, 64/1730,CENTINNARY ROAD,CRRA 6,KALOOR, COCHIN-17 EPF A/C NO.KR/TVM/16936/2 P.P.O.NO.KR/TVM/59244 48 P.S.NEELAKANDA IYER, AGED 60 YEARS S/O.A.SUBRAMANIA IYER,REVATHI PRIYADARSHINI ROAD,VELLANGIL,KANNANKULANGARA, THRIPUNITHURA,ERNAKULAM-682017. EPF A/C NO.KR/KCH/0003220/000/0000448 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00103255 49 K.K.ABDUL RAHIM, AGED 63 YEARS S/O.K.M.KHADAR,ANDITHARA HOUSE, AROOKUTTY NADVATH NAGAR.P.O,CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA688535 EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0011761/000/0000289 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00090347 50 RMACHANDRAN.K, AGED 65 YEARS S/O GANGADHARAN,ANUCHITHRA HOUSE, CHEVAYUR.P.O, CALICUT-673017 EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000432 P.P.O.NO.KR/KKD/00052065 51 SUBRAMANIAN.R, AGED 60 YEARS S/O.A.RAMACHANDRAN,RAMA NIVAS, 309,F1,1ST FLOOR,NR NSS EDU COMPLEX,NFG ROAD,THRIPUNITHURA,EPF A/C NO.KR/KKD/0000279/000/0000898 P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/00103703 BY ADVS. V.V.NANDAGOPAL NAMBIAR SMT.SMITHA (EZHUPUNNA) SRI.DHEERAJ KRISHNAN PEROT SMT.CHITRA JOHNSON ``` WP(C) NO. 13731 OF 2020 ``` ``` 8 ``` ## **RESPONDENTS:** - 1 UNION OF INDIA REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA,MINISTRY OF LABOIUR AND EMPLOYMENT,SHRAM SAKTHI BHAVAN,RAFFI MARGH, NEW DELHI-110001. - 2 THE CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN,NEW DELHI-110066. - 3 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE,KANNUR-670001. - 4 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE,KOCHI-682017 - 5 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE,TRIVANDRUM-695004. - 6 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE,KOTTAYAM-686001. - 7 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE,ALAPPUZHA-688003. - 8 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE,KOZHIKODE-673006. - 9 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE,THRISSUR-680001. - 10 MATHRUBHUM PRINTING AND PUBLISHERS CO.LTD, REGISTERED OFFICE AT KOZHIKODE-673001, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR. - 11 DESHABHIMANI PUBLICATIONS, ARISTO JUNCTION,NEAR,THAMPANOOR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,KERALA-695001. - 12 THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS, LISSIE JUNCTION,INDIAN EXPRESS BUILDING, BAJERJI RD,KALOOR,KOCHI,KERALA-682017. ``` WP(C) NO. 13731 OF 2020 ``` ``` 9 ``` 13 MADHYAMAM DAILY, IDEAL PUBLICATIONS TRUST,SILVER HILLS.P.O, KOZHIKODE-673012,REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY. BY ADVS. ABRAHAM P.MEACHINKARA SRI.U.K.RAMAKRISHNAN (SR.) SRI.P.P.THAJUDEEN SRI.P.BENNY THOMAS SHRI.BALRAM S.A. SMT.C.SEENA SRI.PRINSUN PHILIP SRI.D.PREM KAMATH SMT.J.SURYA SHRI.ABEL TOM BENNY SHRI.JYOTHISH KRISHNA SMT.MEENAKSHY S DEV SHRI.AHAMMAD SACHIN K. V KRISHNA MENON P.VIJAYAMMA(K/116/1970) U.K.DEVIDAS(K/1122/1993) A.B.BEENU(K/189/2008) BY DSGI – SRI. S.MANU THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 22.08.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` WP(C) NO. 13731 OF 2020 ``` ``` 10 ``` ## **JUDGMENT** This writ petition is filed seeking the following reliefs:- a) a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction commanding the respondents 2 to 9 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 respondent no: 10 to 13 establishments without imposing any artificial wage ceiling. b) a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or order directing the respondent no: 2 to 9 to pay forthwith the arrears of pension and the revised pension payable to the petitioners after re-fixation of the pension payable to petitioners, reckoning pensionable salary in terms of pre-amended 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 10th to 13 respondent establishments. ``` WP(C) NO. 13731 OF 2020 ``` ``` 11 ``` c) to hold that the petitioner are entitled to the benefits conferred by Ext P3 judgment,and d) issue such other writ, order or direction as are deemed just and proper on the facts and circumstances of the case. 2. The petitioners are retired employees of respondents 10 to 13 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. Sri. Abraham P.Meachinkara, the learned Standing Counsel for the Employees’ Provident Fund ``` WP(C) NO. 13731 OF 2020 ``` ``` 12 ``` 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. 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** AL/- ``` WP(C) NO. 13731 OF 2020 ``` ``` 13 ``` ## **APPENDIX OF WP(C) 13731/2020** PETITIONER EXHIBITS EXHIBIT P1 A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 04/11/2011 IN WP(C)NO.6643/2007 AND 9929/2017 EXHIBIT P2 A TRUE COPY OF THE AMENDMENT AS PER GSR NO.609(E)DATED 22/08/2014 EXHIBIT P3 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 12.10.2018 IN WP(C)NO.13120/2015 REPORTED IN ILR 2019(1)KERALA 614 EXHIBIT P4 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 10.06.2020 IN W.P(C)NO.33200 OF 2019.