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High Court of KeralaSingle JudgeDisposed of with directions to file a fresh app...

WP(C) No. 36908 of 2015

Case / Petition Number:WP(C) No.36908 OF 2015

Case Details & Bench

Court
High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges
  • Sathish Ninan
Judgment Date
2023-09-11
Court Decision / Holding
The writ petition is disposed of, permitting the petitioners to file appropriate applications seeking enhanced pension in terms of the 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.
Final Disposition
Disposed of with directions to file a fresh application for enhanced pension under the amended scheme; such applications to be considered by the EPFO without delay.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

  • JAYAKUMAR K.S.
  • JAYAKUMAR V
  • JAYALEKSHMI L.C
  • JESSY E.P
  • JOHNKUTTY D
  • JOHNSON S
  • JOHNY J
  • JOSE THOMAS A
  • JOSEPH JERALD
  • JOY B
  • JUSTUS J
  • KALESH BABU
  • KISHORE V
  • KOCHUNARAYANAN K.B
  • KRISHNA PILLAI N
  • KRISHNANKUTTY K.G.
  • KUMARI MEENA V
  • KURIAN K.PHILIP
  • LALIDHARAN R
  • LEVAMONY C
  • MALLIKADEVI P
  • MANI P
  • MANIKANTAN PILLAI R
  • MANOJ K.R
  • MANOJANA BABU
  • MATHEW IPE
  • MATHEWKUTTY P.C
  • MENAKA
  • MOHAN C
  • MOHANAN NAIR A
  • MOHANAN NAIR D
  • MOHANDAS C.A
  • MOHAMMED SHAJAHAN S
  • MOLLY GEORGE
  • MUMTHAZ A
  • MURALEEDHARAN PILLAI P
  • MURUKAN S
  • NANDAKUMAR P
  • NAZAR H
  • NAZEEMA A
  • NEHAMMADULLA
  • NIMIZAD M
  • OMANAKUTTAN PILLAI B
  • PADMAKUMAR A
  • PAPPACHAN A
  • PHILIP OOMMEN
  • PRASANNAKUMAR R
  • PRASANNAN K.P
  • PRATHAPAN R
  • PRIDHI RAJ P
  • PURUSHOTHAMAN POTTY J

Respondents

  • UNION OF INDIA, represented by the Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, Shram Sakthi Bhavan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi-110 001
  • The Central Employees Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund Organisation, Bhavhishyanidhi Bhavan, 14 Bhikaji Cama Place, New Delhi-110 066
  • Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund Organisation, Regional Office, Bhavishyanidhi Bhavan, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram-695 004
  • The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner, Employees Provident Fund Organisation, Sub Regional Office, Poonnamma Chambers, Parameswar Nagar, Kollam-691 001.
  • KERALA ELECTRICALS ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, Kundara PO, Kollam-691 501, represented by its Managing Director.

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

  • • Sri P. Ramakrishnan
  • • Sri C. Anil Kumar
  • • Smt. Asha K. Shenoy
  • • Sri S.K. Harish
  • • Smt. Preethi Ramakrishnan
  • • Sri Pratap Abraham Varghese

Counsels for Respondents

  • • Smt. Sreekala K.L., CGC for R1
  • • Sri N.N. Sugunapalan (Sr.)
  • • Smt. Nita N.S, SC for R2 to R4
  • • Sri M. Gopikrishnan Nambiar
  • • Sri P. Gopinath
  • • Sri K. John Mathai
  • • Sri Joson Manavalalan
  • • Sri Kurian Thomas
  • • Sri N.N. Sugunapalan Sr.
  • • Smt. T.N. Girija, SCEPF Organisation
  • • Shri Haridas P. Nair, CGC

Case Synopsis & Summary

This writ petition, WP(C) No. 36908 of 2015, is filed in the Kerala High Court by 51 petitioners employed with Kerala Electricals & Allied Engineering Company Limited (KEL) seeking higher pension under the Employees’ Provident Scheme in light of the 2014 amendment. The petitioners contend that the amended scheme provides enhanced pension benefits and urge the Court to direct the Organization to grant such enhanced pension to them under the amended framework. The respondents’ Standing Counsel counters by noting that the Supreme Court has upheld the validity of the 2014 amendment to the Employees’ Provident Scheme; accordingly the petitioners may file fresh applications under the amended scheme, which should be considered in accordance with the amended provisions and the Court’s directions in the Sunil Kumar B. decision. The Court, after hearing, upholds the amended scheme’s validity as per the Apex Court and disposes of the petition by permitting the petitioners to submit appropriate applications for enhanced pension under the amended scheme. If such applications are filed, they must be considered by the appropriate authority within the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation without delay. The decision thereby channels relief through an administrative process under the amended scheme rather than granting direct writ relief, while keeping the petition alive for eventual relief under the amended framework.

Provisions of Law Cited

Employees’ Provident Scheme – 2014 amendment

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners seek higher pension under the 2014 amendment to the Employees’ Provident Scheme, arguing that the amended scheme provides for enhanced pension benefits and should be applied to them. They rely on the validity of the amended scheme as upheld by higher courts to claim relief and compel administrative action under the amended framework.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents contend that, following the Supreme Court’s judgment upholding the amended scheme’s validity, petitioners may file fresh applications under the amended scheme, which should be considered by the appropriate authority of the EPFO without delay.

Cited Precedents (1)

Case NameCitationTreatmentExplanation
Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation and Another v. Sunil Kumar.B2022(7)KHC 12PositiveThe apex court’s judgment upholding the 2014 amendment to the Employees’ Provident Scheme is cited as the basis for applicability of the amended scheme and grant of relief through the administrative process.

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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`** ``` MONDAY, THE 11[TH] DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2023 / 20TH BHADRA, 1945 ``` ## **`WP(C) NO. 36908 OF 2015`** ## **`PETITIONERS:`** - `1 JAYAKUMAR K.S.` - `SEMI SKILLED WORKER ON CHARGE HAND GRADE, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `2 JAYAKUMAR V, CHARGEHAND, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `3 JAYALEKSHMI L.C SEMI SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `4 JESSY E.P MANAGER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `5 JOHNKUTTY D, SPECIAL SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `6 JOHNSON S, SPECIAL SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `7 JOHNY J, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `8 JOSE THOMAS A, UNSKILLED WORKER GRADE II, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `9 JOSEPH JERALD, SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` `WP(C) No.36908 OF 2015` -: 2 :- - `10 JOY B, SEMI SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `11 JUSTUS J, SPECIAL SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `12 KALESH BABU, FOREMAN GRADE I, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `13 KISHORE V, CANTEEN WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `14 KOCHUNARAYANAN K.B, SPECIAL SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `15 KRISHNA PILLAI N, SEMISKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `16 KRISHNANKUTTY K.G., SPECIAL SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `17 KUMARI MEENA V, OFFICE ASSISTANT, GRADE III, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `18 KURIAN K.PHILIP, SPECIAL SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `19 LALIDHARAN R, SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` `WP(C) No.36908 OF 2015` -: 3 :- - `20 LEVAMONY C, CHARGEHAND, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `21 MALLIKADEVI P, ASSISTANT PERSONNEL OFFICER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `22 MANI P, CANTEEN WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `23 MANIKANTAN PILLAI R, SPECIAL SKILLED WORKER ON CHARGEHAND GRADE, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `24 MANOJ K.R, SEMI SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `25 MANOJANA BABU, SPECIAL SKILLED WORKER ON CHARGEHAND GRADE, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `26 MATHEW IPE, SPECIAL SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `27 MATHEWKUTTY P.C, CHARGEHAND, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `28 MENAKA, SEMI SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` ``` WP(C) No.36908 OF 2015 ``` -: 4 :- - `29 MOHAN C, CLERK, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `30 MOHANAN NAIR A, SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `31 MOHANAN NAIR D, SPECIAL WORKER ON CHARGE HAND GRADE, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `32 MOHANDAS C.A, SPECIAL WORKER ON CHARGE HAND GRADE, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `33 MOHAMMED SHAJAHAN S, SPECIAL SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `34 MOLLY GEORGE, EXPENDITOR, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `35 MUMTHAZ A, CLERK, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `36 MURALEEDHARAN PILLAI P, SPECIAL SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `37 MURUKAN S, SPECIAL SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `38 NANDAKUMAR P, F0REMAN GRADE I, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` `WP(C) No.36908 OF 2015` -: 5 :- - `39 NAZAR H, SPECIAL SKILLED WORKER ON CHARGE HAND GRADE, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `40 NAZEEMA A, MANAGER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `41 NEHAMMADULLA, TIME KEEPER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `42 NIMIZAD M, SPECIAL SKILLED WORKER ON CHARGE HAND GRADE, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM691 501.` - `43 OMANAKUTTAN PILLAI B, SPECIAL SKILLED WORKER ON CHARGE HAND GRADE, CHARGE HAND, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `44 PADMAKUMAR A, ASSISTANT MANAGER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `45 PAPPACHAN A, SPECIAL SKILLED WORKER ON CHARGE HAND GRADE, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `46 PHILIP OOMMEN, SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `47 PRASANNAKUMAR R, SWEEPER CUM SCAVENGER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` `WP(C) No.36908 OF 2015` -: 6 :- - `48 PRASANNAN K.P, SPECIAL SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `49 PRATHAPAN R, SPECIAL SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `50 PRIDHI RAJ P, CANTEEN WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` - `51 PURUSHOTHAMAN POTTY J, SKILLED WORKER, KERALA ELECTRICALS & ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501.` ``` BY ADVS. SRI.P.RAMAKRISHNAN SRI.C.ANIL KUMAR SMT.ASHA K.SHENOY SRI.S.K.HARISH SMT.PREETHI RAMAKRISHNAN SRI.PRATAP ABRAHAM VARGHESE ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** - `1 UNION OF INDIA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, SHRAM SAKTHI BHAVAN, RAFI MARGH, NEW DELHI-110 001.` - `2 THE CENTRAL EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, BHAVHISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, 14BHIKHAJI CAMA PLACE, NEW DELHI-110 066.` - `3 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, REGIONAL OFFICE, BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, PATTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 004.` `WP(C) No.36908 OF 2015` -: 7 :- ``` 4THE REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, PONNAMMA CHAMBERS, PARAMESWAR NAGAR, KOLLAM-691 001. 5KERALA ELECTRICALS ALLIED ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED, KUNDARA PO, P.B.NO.8, KOLLAM-691 501, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR. BY ADVS. SMT.SREEKALA K.L., CGC FOR R1 SRI.N.N.SUGUNAPALAN (SR.) SMT.NITA N.S, SC FOR R2 TO R4 SRI.M.GOPIKRISHNAN NAMBIAR SRI.M.GOPIKRISHNAN NAMBIAR SRI.P.GOPINATH SRI.K.JOHN MATHAI SRI.JOSON MANAVALAN SRI.KURYAN THOMAS SRI.N.N.SUGUNAPALAN SR. SMT.T.N.GIRIJA SCEPF ORGANISATION SHRI.HARIDAS P.NAIR, CGC ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 11.09.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` Sathish Ninan, J. ============================== WP(C) No.36908 OF 2015 ========================== Dated this the 11[th] day of September, 2023 ``` ## **`JUDGMENT`** ``` The claim of the petitioners is for higher pension in terms of the Employees’ Provident Scheme ``` `– 2014 amendment. The validity of the amended Employees’ Provident 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. ``` `WP(C) No.36908 OF 2015` -: 2 :- ``` Resultantly, the writ petition is disposed of permitting the petitioners to file appropriate application seeking enhanced pension in terms of the 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. ``` ``` Sd/- Sathish Ninan, Judge ``` ``` amk ``` ## **`APPENDIX OF WP(C) 36908/2015`** ``` PETITIONERS’ EXHIBITS : ``` ``` P1- TRUE COPY OF NOTIFICATION DATED 22.8.2014 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA OF MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT. ```