High Court of KeralaDivision BenchAppeals dismissed; writ appeals disposed of wit...
WA No. 1522 of 2022 and WA No. 1541 of 2022 (Two writ appeals)
Case / Petition Number:WA 1522 of 2022 and WA 1541 of 2022
Case Details & Bench
- Court
- High Court of Kerala
- Hon'ble Judges
- Amit Rawal
- C. S. Sudha
- Judgment Date
- 2024-02-29
- Court Decision / Holding
- Appeals dismissed. The High Court held that the petitioners’ contentions do not warrant continuation of the older pension arrangements in light of Section 17(1C) and the 1994 Self Financing Scheme, while directing immediate transfer of funds by the banks and corresponding processing by the Pension Board. The court noted decisions where exemptions were upheld but found that in the present facts, exemption must be tied to parity or better pension benefits; in the absence of such parity, the appeals are dismissed. The banks are instructed to respond to EPF letters regarding fund transfer promptly.
- Final Disposition
- Appeals dismissed; writ appeals disposed of with directions to transfer funds and process pension under 1994 scheme.
Parties to the Case
Appellants / Petitioners
- SATHIS M
- NARAYANI V.P
- MOHANAN C
- ARVAINDAKSHAN O.V
- VIMALA K
- RAMACHANDRAN MAMMALLY
- SAVITHRI MAMMALLY
- SUNIL KUMAR M
- JITHESH T.V
- GOPALAKRISHNAN M.V
- RAVEENDRAN R
- PREMA V.V
- KOUSU P.M
- PRAKASHAN K
- PROMODSHERIN.M
- CHANDRAN M.P
- REMA K.K
- PRAVEENA M.P
- REENA R
- SAJITHKUMAR K.P
- PRABHAKARAN T.K
- CHANDRAN O.P
- ANOOP KUMAR K.R
- AJITH K.T.K
- SIVAKUMAR K
- BIJU C.K
- REMESAN K
- ASOKAN K.M
- VANAJA RAVEENDRAN C.K
- SEETHA K.P
- BIJU V.P
- KALAJITH K
- RADHAKRISHNA VARRIAR V.V
- CHANDRAN M.P
- GOPALAN C.K
- SREEDHARAN K
- VENUGOPALAN N
- VINU T.K
- REMESAN E.M
- SHAJI T.K
- LINEESHMON V.P
- RAVEENDRAN P
- RAJESH C.H
- RAJEEVAN K.K
- JINEESH V
- SANTHOSH KUMAR V.K
- BINEESHAN T.P
- PRASHEELA M
- UDAYAKUMAR P.K
- VIPINLAL P.C
- MANI K
- BALAKRISHNA M
- GOPALAN R.M
- JAYACHANDRAN K.K
- BALAKRISHNAN M
- REMA C
- SUJINA V
- MANOJ K
- SUNIL P
- SUDHEER M.P
- SHYJU E
- SHYLAJA C.P
- REETHA A.K
- USHA K
- RAMAVATHI K
- RATHEESHAN O.K
- RAJEEVAN T
- PREMALAKSHMI P
- PRAVEEN P.K
- ANEESH V.V
- RAJESH M
- BYJU M.B
- NARAYANAN P.M
- SHADEVAN C.M
- PANKAJAVALLY K
- NALINI K.P
- SUNIL A.M
- SAJITH K.C
- N.P. MOHANDAS
- VIDHYADHARAN K.V
Respondents
- State of Kerala
- Secretary to Government, Department of Labour
- Regional Provident Fund Commissioner
- Secretary, Kerala State Co-Operative Employees Pension Board
- President, Chovva Co-Operative Rural Bank Limited
- President, Badagara Co-Operative Rural Bank Ltd
Legal Representation & Advocates
Counsels for Petitioners
- • ABRAHAM P.
- • M. SASINDRAN
- • R. PARTHASARATHY
- • K. JOHN MATHAI
- • NITA N.S
- • BINDUMOL JOSEPH
- • PUSHKARAKSHAN V.P
Counsels for Respondents
- • --
Case Synopsis & Summary
This is a combined judgment of two writ appeals arising from WP(C) Nos. 2247/2010 and 12244/2010, decided by a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on 29 February 2024. The appellants are employees of the Badagara Co-operative Rural Bank Ltd. and the Chovva Co-operative Rural Bank Ltd., challenging notifications and orders under the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (EPF & MP Act) concerning the transfer of pension/contribution rights from the erstwhile Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 to the Kerala State Co-operative Employees Self Financing Pension Scheme, 1994. The core dispute concerns Section 17(1C) of the EPF Act and the Government’s prerogative to exempt a primary cooperative society from the 1995 pension scheme in favour of the 1994 self-financing scheme, if pension benefits are at parity or more favourable. The petitioners argued that the earlier, more beneficial pension arrangements should continue and that the exemptions should be guided by ensuring no loss of pension benefits, citing a Supreme Court arrangement in Civil Appeal No. 6575 of 2014 and a prior Kerala HC/DB decision. The respondents argued that exemptions are the Government’s prerogative and that pension rights must align with the 1994 self-financing scheme, with EPF transferring contributions accordingly. The Court ultimately held that the appeals lack merit, dismissed them, and ordered immediate action by the banks to respond to EPF letters for transferring funds to the 1994 scheme, while directing the EPF to process transfers.
Provisions of Law Cited
Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952Section 17(1C) of the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952Kerala State Co-operative Societies Employees Self Financing Pension Scheme, 1994Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995
Submissions & Arguments
Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners
The petitioners contended that they remain covered under the older, more beneficial pension schemes (the Employees' Family Pension Scheme, 1971/EPF 1995) and that the notification under Section 17(1C) of the EPF Act should not force them to transfer to the Kerala State Co-operative Employees Self Financing Pension Scheme, 1994. They argued that the exemption must be granted only if pensionary benefits are at par or better, especially since interim orders had allowed pensions; they invoked a Supreme Court arrangement in Civil Appeal No. 6575 of 2014 as guidance for special arrangements in peculiar facts.
Contentions of Respondents
The respondents argued that exemptions under Section 17(1C) are a Government prerogative and should be granted only if pension benefits under the alternative scheme are at least parity or better. They submitted that the Kerala State Co-operative Pension Board administers the Self Financing Pension Scheme, 1994, and that EPF funds must be transferred accordingly. They cited prior judgments upholding exemptions (eg, Employees' Provident Fund Organization v. Kerala State Co-operative Employees Pension Board) and urged that the petitioners cannot insist on preserving the EPF pensions if the statutory scheme requires transfer.
Cited Precedents (2)
| Case Name | Citation | Treatment | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employees' Provident Fund Organization, TVM v. Kerala State Co-operative Employees Pension Board, Trivandrum and Others | 2016 (5) KHC 414 (DB) | Positive | The judgment notes that exemption under Section 17(1C) had been upheld in this earlier case, informing the Court's reasoning on exemptions. |
| Civil Appeal No. 6575 of 2014 | Civil Appeal No. 6575 of 2014 (order dated 24.08.2022) | Positive | The Supreme Court in that matter acknowledged a similar special arrangement, cited to support the petitioner's position on equity in pension arrangements. |
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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 AMIT RAWAL**
## **&**
**THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE C.S. SUDHA**
**THURSDAY, THE 29[TH] DAY OF FEBRUARY 2024 / 10TH PHALGUNA, 1945**
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022**
**AGAINST THE JUDGMENT IN WP(C) NO.2247 OF 2010 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA**
## **APPELLANTS/PETITIONERS IN WP(C):**
- **1 SATHIS M, AGED 70 YEARS SECRETARY, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**
- **2 NARAYANI V.P, AGED 70 YEARS**
**SENIOR MANAGER, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**
- **3 MOHANAN C, AGED 65 YEARS**
**BRANCH MANAGER, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**
- **4 ARVAINDAKSHAN O.V, AGED 68 YEARS BRANCH MANAGER, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**
- **5 VIMALA K, AGED 67 YEARS BRANCH MANAGER, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**
## **6 RAMACHANDRAN MAMMALLY, AGED 63 YEARS**
**BRANCH MANAGER,THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
||**2**|
|---|---|
|**7**|**SAVITHRI MAMMALLY,**|
||**AGED 63 YEARS**|
||**BRANCH MANAGER, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK**|
||**LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN -**|
||**673101**|
|**8**|**SUNIL KUMAR M,**|
||**AGED 59 YEARS**|
||**BRANCH MANAGER, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK**|
||**LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN -**|
||**673101**|
|**9**|**JITHESH T.V,**|
||**AGED 51 YEARS**|
||**BRANCH MANAGER, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK**|
||**LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN -**|
||**673101**|
|**10**|**GOPALAKRISHNAN M.V,**|
||**AGED 59 YEARS**|
||**BRANCH MANAGER, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK**|
||**LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN -**|
||**673101**|
|**11**|**RAVEENDRAN R,**|
||**AGED 60 YEARS**|
||**BRANCH MANAGER, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK**|
||**LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN -**|
||**673101**|
|**12**|**PREMA V.V**|
||**AGED 57 YEARS**|
||**ACCOUNTANT, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**13**|**KOUSU P.M**|
||**AGED 63 YEARS**|
||**ACCOUNTANT, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**14**|**PRAKASHAN K**|
||**AGED 59 YEARS**|
||**ACCOUNTANT, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN – 673101**|
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
||**3**|
|---|---|
|**15**|**PROMODSHERIN.M**|
||**AGED 51 YEARS**|
||**ACCOUNTANT, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**16**|**CHANDRAN M.P**|
||**AGED 55 YEARS**|
||**ACCOUNTANT, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**17**|**REMA K.K**|
||**AGED 52 YEARS**|
||**ACCOUNTANT, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**18**|**PRAVEENA M.P**|
||**AGED 52 YEARS**|
||**ACCOUNTANT. THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**19**|**REENA R**|
||**AGED 56 YEARS**|
||**ACCOUNTANT, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**20**|**SAJITHKUMAR K.P**|
||**AGED 50 YEARS**|
||**ACCOUNTANT, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**21**|**PRABHAKARAN T.K**|
||**AGED 65 YEARS**|
||**ACCOUNTANT, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**22**|**CHANDRAN O.P**|
||**AGED 60 YEARS**|
||**ACCOUNTANT, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**23**|**ANOOP KUMAR K.R**|
||**AGED 45 YEARS**|
||**ACCOUNTANT, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**24**|**AJITH K.T.K**|
||**AGED 51 YEARS**|
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
**4**
||**ACCOUNTANT, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
|---|---|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**25**|**SIVAKUMAR K**|
||**AGED 54 YEARS**|
||**SENIOR CLERK, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**26**|**BIJU C.K**|
||**AGED 44 YEARS**|
||**SENIOR CLERK, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**27**|**REMESAN K**|
||**AGED 53 YEARS**|
||**JUNIOR CLERK, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**28**|**ASHOKAN K.M**|
||**AGED 58 YEARS**|
||**JUNIOR CLERK, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**29**|**VANAJA RAVEENDRAN C.K**|
||**AGED 51 YEARS**|
||**JUNIOR CLERK, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**30**|**SEETHA K.P**|
||**AGED 62 YEARS**|
||**JUNIOR CLERK, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**31**|**BIJU V.P**|
||**AGED 48 YEARS**|
||**JUNIOR CLERK, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**32**|**KALAJITH K.**|
||**AGED 51 YEARS**|
||**JUNIOR CLERK, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN – 673101**|
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
||**5**|
|---|---|
|**33**|**RADHAKRISHNA VARRIAR V.V**|
||**AGED 70 YEARS**|
||**ATTENDAR GRADE III, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL**|
||**BANK LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT,**|
||**PIN - 673101**|
|**34**|**CHANDRAN M.P**|
||**AGED 64 YEARS**|
||**ATTENDAR, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**35**|**GOPALAN C.K**|
||**AGED 66 YEARS**|
||**ATTENDAR, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**36**|**SREEDHARAN K**|
||**AGED 61 YEARS**|
||**ATTENDAR, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**37**|**VENUGOPALAN N**|
||**AGED 58 YEARS**|
||**ATTENDAR, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**38**|**VINU T.K**|
||**AGED 47 YEARS**|
||**ATTENDAR, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**39**|**REMESAN E.M**|
||**AGED 50 YEARS**|
||**ATTENDAR, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**40**|**SHAJI T.K**|
||**AGED 51 YEARS**|
||**ATTENDAR, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**41**|**LINEESHMON V.P**|
||**AGED 46 YEARS**|
||**ATTENDAR, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN – 673101**|
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
||**6**|
|---|---|
|**42**|**RAVEENDRAN P**|
||**AGED 54 YEARS**|
||**ATTENDAR, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD.**|
||**NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**|
|**43**|**RAJESH C.H**|
||**AGED 52 YEARS**|
||**SALESMAN/ PEON THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK**|
||**LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN -**|
||**673101**|
|**44**|**RAJEEVAN K.K**|
||**AGED 49 YEARS**|
||**SALESMAN/PEON, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK**|
||**LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN -**|
||**673101**|
|**45**|**JINEESH V**|
||**AGED 41 YEARS**|
||**SALESMAN/ PEON, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK**|
||**LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN -**|
||**673101**|
|**46**|**SANTHOSH KUMAR V.K**|
||**AGED 55 YEARS**|
||**SALESMAN/PEON, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK**|
||**LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN -**|
||**673101**|
|**47**|**BINEESHAN T.P**|
||**AGED 51 YEARS**|
||**SALESMAN/PEON, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK**|
||**LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN -**|
||**673101**|
|**48**|**PRASHEELA M**|
||**AGED 48 YEARS**|
||**SALESMAN/PEON, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK**|
||**LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN -**|
||**673101**|
|**49**|**UDAYAKUMAR P.K**|
||**AGED 53 YEARS**|
||**SALESMAN/PEON, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK**|
||**LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN -**|
||**673101**|
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
**7**
**50 VIPINLAL P.C AGED 35 YEARS**
**SALESMAN/PEON, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**
**51 MANI K AGED 52 YEARS SALESMAN/ PEON, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**
## **52 BALAKRISHNA M AGED 56 YEARS**
**DRIVER, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**
**53 GOPALAN R.M AGED 57 YEARS CLEANER, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**
## **54 JAYACHANDRAN K.K AGED 66 YEARS**
**ATTENDAR GRADE III, THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD. NO.F. 1264,VATAKARA-1, KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**
**BY ADVS. K.JOHN MATHAI Gopikrishnan Nambiar M E.K.NANDAKUMAR (SR.)(N-23)**
## **RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS IN WP(C):**
- **1 STATE OF KERALA, SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT OF KERALA DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695001**
- **2 THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, COOPERATIVE DEPARTMENT GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN – 695001**
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
**8**
- **3 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER REGIONAL OFFICE, BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, ERANHIPALAM, KOZHIKODE, PIN - 673006**
- **4 SECRETARY, KERALA STATE CO-OPERATIVE EMPLOYEE PENSION BOARD THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695001**
- **5 THE BADAGARA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LTD NO. F.1264, VATAKARA - 1 KOZHIKODE DISTRICT, PIN - 673101**
**BY ADVS. ABRAHAM P.MEACHINKARA M.SASINDRAN R.PARTHASARATHY**
**THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR HEARING ON 29.02.2024, ALONG WITH WA.1541/2022, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
**9**
**IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM**
## **PRESENT**
**THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE AMIT RAWAL**
## **&**
**THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE C.S. SUDHA**
**THURSDAY, THE 29[TH] DAY OF FEBRUARY 2024 / 10TH PHALGUNA, 1945**
**WA NO. 1541 OF 2022**
**AGAINST THE JUDGMENT IN WP(C) NO.12244 OF 2010 OF HIGH COURT OF KERALA**
## **APPELLANTS/PETITIONERS IN WP(C):**
|**1**|**AJAYAKUMAR C.V,**|
|---|---|
||**AGED 61 YEARS**|
||**SECRETARY IN CHARGE, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK**|
||**LIMITED,NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR -, PIN -**|
||**670006**|
|**2**|**LALITHA P.V,**|
||**AGED 69 YEARS**|
||**ACCOUNTANT, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED,**|
||**NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR -, PIN - 670006**|
|**3**|**LEELA C,**|
||**AGED 70 YEARS**|
||**CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277,**|
||**CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**|
|**4**|**RATHNAKARAN C.K,**|
||**AGED 69 YEARS**|
||**BRANCH MANAGER, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK**|
||**LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN -**|
||**670006**|
|**5**|**NIRMALA K,**|
||**AGED 67 YEARS**|
||**BRANCH MANAGER, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK**|
||**LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN –**|
||**670006**|
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
**10**
- **6 VISWANATHAN K V, AGED 62 YEARS**
**BRANCH MANAGER, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **7 GIREESHAN C. V, AGED 61 YEARS**
- **BRANCH MANAGER, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **8 PREMARAJAN N K, AGED 68 YEARS**
- **SENIOR CLERK, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED,NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **9 MAHEENDRAN K, AGED 59 YEARS**
**BRANCH MANAGER, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **10 MOHANAN P, AGED 57 YEARS**
**BRANCH MANAGER, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **11 LATHIKA P. T, AGED 56 YEARS**
- **BRANCH MANAGER, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **12 RAJAN T. K AGED 61 YEARS**
- **ACCOUNTANT, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **13 SREEDHARAN T. C AGED 70 YEARS**
**BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN – 670006**
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
**11**
- **14 MOHANAN PILAKANDY AGED 71 YEARS**
- **CASH ASSISTANT, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **15 MOHANAN N K AGED 69 YEARS**
- **CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **16 SATHYAPAL A AGED 61 YEARS**
**CASH ASSISTANT, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **17 ARUNODAYAM T AGED 59 YEARS**
- **ATTENDER, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
## **18 HAREENDRAN. T AGED 58 YEARS**
**BRANCH MANAGER, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
## **19 LAKSHMANAN T AGED 59 YEARS**
- **ACCOUNTANT, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **20 VASANTHA V AGED 61 YEARS**
**BRANCH MANAGER, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **21 SUJATHA N K AGED 60 YEARS**
**BRANCH MANAGER, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
**12**
- **22 EUGIN STANLY AGED 46 YEARS**
**ACCOUNTANT, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
## **23 SUMESH M AGED 47 YEARS**
**SENIOR CLERK, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **24 MANOJKUMAR U AGED 51 YEARS**
**SENIOR CLERK, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **25 SIDHARTHAN M AGED 70 YEARS**
**BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
## **26 RAJAN P K AGED 62 YEARS**
**BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **27 PRADEEPAN M AGED 59 YEARS**
**CASH ASSISTANT, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
## **28 PRAVEENKUMAR M K AGED 54 YEARS**
**CASH ASSISTANT, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
## **29 REJEEVAN V AGED 62 YEARS**
**CASH ASSISTANT, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
**13**
- **30 KUTTIKRISHNAN V C AGED 59 YEARS**
**JUNIOR CLERK, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **31 UTHAMAN N K AGED 64 YEARS**
- **APPRAISER, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **32 ASOKAN G. V AGED 57 YEARS**
**APPRAISER, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **33 ABDUL MUTHALIB AGED 64 YEARS**
**NIGHT WATCHMAN, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **34 NAVEEN M AGED 52 YEARS**
**JUNIOR CLERK, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **35 USHA K AGED 47 YEARS**
**JUNIOR CLERK, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
## **36 SONY M P AGED 45 YEARS**
**JUNIOR CLERK, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
## **37 HAREESHAN K AGED 49 YEARS**
**SENIOR CLERK, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN – 670006**
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
## **14**
- **38 DILEEPKUMAR K AGED 47 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
**39 VINOD C AGED 63 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **40 SREEJA AGED 50 YEARS PEON, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **41 PRASEETHA C P AGED 53 YEARS PEON, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **42 PANKAJAKSHAN A AGED 63 YEARS PEON, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **43 KANAKAVALLY T C AGED 62 YEARS PEON, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
**44 PRANITHA C AGED 49 YEARS JUNIOR CLERK, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
## **45 MAHESH K AGED 52 YEARS**
**APPRAISER, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN – 670006**
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
**15**
- **46 PURUSHOTHAMAN P AGED 58 YEARS APPRAISER, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **47 PREMAN R AGED 66 YEARS APPRAISER, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **48 MANOJ C P AGED 48 YEARS SALESMAN, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **49 NAINESH M AGED 44 YEARS SALESMAN, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **50 BIJU N K AGED 44 YEARS PEON, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **51 PRATHYUSH P. V AGED 34 YEARS PEON, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **52 BHAGYESH P AGED 33 YEARS PEON, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
## **53 SHALINI AGED 58 YEARS**
**BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
## **54 KAMALAKSHI T. C AGED 52 YEARS**
**BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
## **16**
**55 BALAKRISHNAN M AGED 65 YEARS BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
**56 REMA C AGED 64 YEARS BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
**57 SUJINA V AGED 44 YEARS BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
**58 MANOJ K AGED 54 YEARS BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **59 SUNIL P AGED 47 YEARS**
**BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **60 SUDHEER M. P AGED 54 YEARS**
**BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **61 SHYJU E AGED 45 YEARS**
**BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **62 SHYLAJA C. P AGED 55 YEARS BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **63 REETHA A.K**
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
## **17**
**AGED 57 YEARS**
**BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **64 USHA K AGED 59 YEARS**
**BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **65 RAMAVATHI K AGED 61 YEARS**
**BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **66 RATHEESHAN O. K AGED 49 YEARS**
**BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
## **67 RAJEEVAN T AGED 52 YEARS**
**BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **68 PREMALAKSHMI P AGED 52 YEARS**
**BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **69 PRAVEEN P K AGED 47 YEARS**
**BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **70 ANEESH V. V AGED 45 YEARS**
**BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN – 670006**
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
## **18**
**71 RAJESH M AGED 44 YEARS BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006 72 BYJU M B AGED 44 YEARS BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **73 NARAYANAN P M AGED 68 YEARS BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **74 SHADEVAN C M AGED 56 YEARS BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **75 PANKAJAVALLY K AGED 64 YEARS MASALACHI, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **76 NALINI K P AGED 65 YEARS MASALACHI, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
**77 SUNIL A. M AGED 52 YEARS MASALACHI, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
**78 PRASHANNA O. V AGED 67 YEARS MASALACHI, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006 79 SHEEJA. P AGED 49 YEARS MASALACHI, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
**19**
- **80 VALSARAJAN. C AGED 67 YEARS**
**NIGHT WATCHMAN, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
**81 VIDHYADHARAN K V AGED 49 YEARS NIGHT WATCHMAN, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **82 MAHESH KAKKOTH AGED 52 YEARS**
**APPRAISER, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **83 PRAMOD E AGED 51 YEARS**
- **APPRAISER, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **84 PREMARAJAN V K AGED 65 YEARS**
**NIGHT WATCHMAN, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **85 SATHEESH BABU K AGED 56 YEARS NIGHT WATCHMAN, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **86 SAJITH K C AGED 59 YEARS PEON, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **87 N.P. MOHANDAS AGED 70 YEARS**
**BILL COLLECTOR, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
## **BY ADV K.JOHN MATHAI**
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
## **20**
## **RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS IN WP(C):**
- **1 STATE OF KERALA, SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT OF KERALA DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695001**
- **2 THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT, COOPERATIVE DEPARTMENT GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,, PIN - 695001**
- **3 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, V.K.COMPLEX, FORT ROAD, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
- **4 SECRETARY, KERALA STATE CO-OPERATIVE EMPLOYEES PENSION BOARD**
- **KERALA STATE CO-OPERATIVE EMPLOYEES PENSION BOARD THIRUVNANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695001**
- **5 PRESIDENT, CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED CHOVVA CO-OPERATIVE RURAL BANK LIMITED, NO. F 1277, CHOVVA P.O, KANNUR, PIN - 670006**
**BY ADVS. NITA N.S M.SASINDRAN BINDUMOL JOSEPH PUSHKARAKSHAN V.P(K/440/1984)**
**THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR HEARING ON 29.02.2024, ALONG WITH WA.1522/2022, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:**
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
**21**
## JUDGMENT
## Amit Rawal, J.
This order shall dispose of two writ appeals W.A No.1522 of 2022 against the judgment dated 4.8.2022 in WP(C) No.2247 of 2010 and W.A No.1541 of 2022 against the judgment dated 16.9.2022 in WP(C) No.12244 of 2010.
2. Appellants/petitioners alleging that they are employees of the Chovva Co-operative Rural Bank Ltd, a Primary Co-operative Society, an establishment covered under the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 on account of the allotment of particular code. They were the members of the Employees' Family Pension Scheme, 1971 under the Act from its commencement on 1.3.1971. The Employees' Family Pension Scheme, 1971 was repealed and the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995 came into force on 16.11.1995. The rate of employers' contribution payable to the provident fund is 12% and out of employers' contribution of 12%, 8.33% is remitted to the pension fund and remaining 3.67% is remitted to the EPF. Vide notification dated 14.3.1995 pension scheme was introduced covering the
## **WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
## **22**
employees of the Co-operative Societies in a State under the name and style Kerala Co-operative Societies Employees Pension Scheme. But subsequently, the Government vide notification Ext.P1 dated 19.6.2006 invoked the provisions of Section 17(1C) of the Act exempting the Primary Co-operative Society in the State of Kerala to which the Kerala State Cooperative Societies Employees Self Financing Pension Scheme, 1994 is applicable from the operation of the Employees Pension Scheme, 1995 under the Employees Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Act, 1952 so as to enable the employees in the Primary Co-operative Societies to enroll as members under the Kerala Co-operative Societies Self Financing Pension Scheme, 1994 to get pension under that scheme.
3. In view of the notification under Section 17(1C) of the Act, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner (Pension), Kannur issued a circular requesting all the Regional Provident Fund Commissioners to take immediate steps to transfer the contribution in respect of the employees of the Primary Cooperative Societies to the Pension Board along with the details of the employees. Some of the petitioners had approached this
## **WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
## **23**
Court by challenging the notification but relegated to the Government which was objected. It is on that background, the petitioners assailed the notification and subsequent orders on various grounds. The primary ground was that they are entitled to continue under the erstwhile employees pension scheme which was having more beneficial effects than the one caused in 1994.
4. The stand of the respondent was that it is not the prerogative of the employees to opt for. It was the arrangement made by the Government and in the earlier case, the exemption had already been upheld [ Employees' Provident Fund Organization, Tvm v. Kerala State Co-operative Employees Pension Board, Trivandrum and Others (2016 (5) KHC 414 (DB) ]. Noticing the fact that the some of the employees had retired and there was an interim order for the entire period when the writ petition was pending, issued directions to the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Kozhikode to transfer the transfer value/contributions made by the employees under the Employees Pension Scheme, 1995, if not already transferred, to the Kerala Co-operative Societies Employees
## **WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
## **24**
Self Financing Pension Scheme, 1994 under the Kerala State Co-operative Pension Board, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of the judgment with a further direction to the Kerala State Co-operative Pension Board to process the applications of the petitioners as per the provisions of Kerala State Co-operative Societies Employees Self Financing Pension Scheme, 1994 and disburse the pension due to them within a period of three months from the date on which their contributions are transferred. In another matter, learned Single Bench disposed of the writ petition in terms of the decision rendered in WP(C) No.2247 of 2010 dated 4.8.2022.
5. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the appellant submitted that the learned Single Bench ought to have appreciated the contents of the representation where the appellants had pointed out the details of disadvantages they will have to suffer by transferring them from Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995 under the EPF and MP Act to the Self Financing Pension Scheme, 1994. The exemption under Section 17(1C) of the EPF & MP Act, 1952 can be granted by
## **WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
**25**
the Government only if the pensionary benefits are at par or more favourable than the pension scheme under the EPF Act, 1952. All the appellants are receiving pension from the Employees' Pension Scheme, 1995 in view of the interim order and it would be too onerous to put the clock back. Let there be a special arrangement for them as a special case in a peculiar facts and circumstances of the case and in support of the contentions relied upon similar arrangement acknowledged by the Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No.6575 of 2014 vide order dated 24.8.2022.
6. On the other hand, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Employees Provident Fund Corporation submitted that EPF organization had been writing to the Co-operative Society to submit the documents for compliance of the judgment under challenge for transfer of the funds to the Co-operative Bank but there has been no response. This exercise has been done in order to avoid contempt proceedings.
7. Counsel for the Co-operative Bank supported the exemption as well as the applicability of the Self financing
**WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
## **26**
Scheme, 1994.
8. We have heard the learned counsel for the parties and appraised the paper book. No doubt the employees who were covered under the EPF scheme of 1995 on account of the introduction of Co-operative scheme in 1994 were required to be paid pensions in view of the contributions already made. We have not been pointed out any difference in the contributions of 12% and out of that 8.33% to the pension fund. Had there been any such differences, matter could have been examined on the basis of some financial loss to the employees who had retired by this time. Thus appeal sans merit. Accordingly, dismissed. We make it clear that the Co-operative bank should respond immediately to the letters sent by the EPF for transferring the fund.
Sd/-
AMIT RAWAL , JUDGE
Sd/-
sab
C.S. SUDHA , JUDGE
## **WA NO. 1522 OF 2022 and conctd. Case**
## **27**
**APPENDIX OF WA 1541/2022**
## **PETITIONER ANNEXURES**
**Annexure A1 A TRUE COPY OF THE PENSION PAYMENT ORDER ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT. Annexure A2 A TRUE COPY OF THE OP TICKET AND FOLLOW UP CARDS**
## **RESPONDENT ANNEXURES**
- **ANNEXURE R3(A) TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 16/02/2009**
- **ANNEXURE R3(B) True copy of the letter dated 23.09.2009 issued by the Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner in the office of the 3rd respondent**
- **ANNEXURE R3(C) TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGEMENT DATED 07/02/2012 IN WP.(C) No.145/2010 AND CONNECTED CASES**
- **ANNEXURE R3(D) TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 13/07/2012 IN W.A NO.637/2012 AND CONNECTED CASES**
- **ANNEXURE R3(E) TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGEMENT DATED 07/11/2016 R.P. NO.503/2016 AND CONNECTED CASES**
- **ANNEXURE R3(F) True copy of the letter dated 02.11.2022 addressed to the 5th Respondent/Employer**
- **ANNEXURE R3(G) TRUE COPY OF THE STATEMENT SHOWING TRANSFER OF CONTRIBUTION**