WP(C) No. 5447 of 2015

## **`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. 5447 OF 2015`** ## **`PETITIONERS:`** - `1 RAMESH G, AGED 28 YEARS S/O.GOPALA PILLAI, RAMESH BHAVAN, CHATHANOOR P.O., KOLLAM-691 572.` - `2 B.ROBIN FERIAH, S/O.BERNAD FERIAH, LAYA, CHERUSSERIBHAGAOM, CHAVARA-691 583.` - `3 B.KRISHNA KUMAR, S/O.K.BHARGAVAN, SARALALAYAM, PADA NORTH, KARUNAGAPPALLY-690 518.` - `4 S.SUNILKUMAR, S/O.P.SUKUMARAN, PANJARAM, SREE BHADRA NAGAR-153, ULIYACOVIL P.O., KOLLAM-691 019.` - `5 SEBATIAN K JOSEPH, S/O.K.T.JOSEPH, KOLLAVILAKATHU VEEDU, THOTTINUVADAKKU P.O., CHAVARA-691 583.` - `6 SREENIVASAN PILLAI B, S/O.BALAKRISHNA PILLAI, KANICHERIL VEEDU, VADAKKUMATHALA P.O., KARUNGAPPALLY.` - `7 RAJASEKHARA PILLAI .R, S/O.RAMACHANDRAN PILLAI, LEKSHMI BHAVAN, CHITTOOR, PANAMANA P.O.` - `8 SANTHOSH S, S/O.SREEDHARAN K., SANTHOSH BHAVAN, SOUTH KOCUMURI, OCHIRA-690 526.` - `9 KRISHNAKUMAR O.S., S/O./SANKARA PILLAI K.R., VYSHNAVAM, KUMARANALLOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM-686 016.` - `10 ABRAHAM C, S/O.A.CHERIAN, PUTHENPURA, CHENCHERI, NALANCHIRA P.O., TRIVANDRUM-15.` - `11 J.KISHOREKUMAR, S/O.JYOTHI RAJ, GEETHUS, VENGAD P.O., SASTHAMCOTTA.` - `12 K.R.UNNIKRISHNAN, S/O.RAMAN NAIR, RAGAM, PADA SOUTH, KARUNAGAPPALLY.` **`WP(C) No.5447 of 2015`** -: 2 :- - `13 VISHNU RAM V. S/O.VIJAYAN, PUTHENVEEDU, CHITTOOR, PONMANA P.O., CHAVARA.` - `14 M.R.REGHU, S/O.K.RAGHAVAN, MAYOOKHAM, MADAN NADA, KOLLAM-691 010.` - `15 RAJENDRAN PILLAI K. S/O.K.KARUNAKARAN PILLAI, VYSHAKOM, CHAVARA P.O.` - `16 RAJENDRAN K. S/O.KOCHU PILLAI, RAM NIVAS, VADUTHALA, PANMANA, PUTHENCHANTHA P.O.` - `17 T.A.BOTHISATHWAN, S/O.LATE T.R.AZHAKESAN, BODHI VIHAR, H.NO.19/1230A, P.D. ROAD, PALLURUTHY, KOCHI.` - `18 P.SAISKUAMRA KURUP, S/O.N.PAPPUKURUP, EDAKKATTU VADAKKATHIL, KANNIMEL CHERY, KAVANAD P.O., KOLLAM-3.` - `19 MURALEEDHARAN NAIR K. S/O.P.N.KUNJUKRISHNA PANICKER, GIRISH NIVAS, CHAVARA P.O., PANMANA.` - `20 VINOD.C. S/O.CHANDRAN.S, PARANKIMAMVILA, KADAVOOR, PERINAD P.O., KOLLAM.` - `21 RAJU.D. S/O.DIVAKARAN K., SREE MANDIRAM, KOTTAKKAKAM WARD, LESHMINADA, KOLLA-13.` - `22 REGHUNATH P. S/O.LATE PARAMESWARAN PILLAI, GIRI SREE, KAVANADU P.O., KOLLAM-691 003.` - `23 SIVAN PILLAI N. S/O.LATE NARAYANAN PILLAI, CHAKKALAVILA VEEDU, (REVATHY), PUTHENAMBALAM P.O., KADAMPANADU SOUTH VIA, KOLLAM-691 553.` - `24 SOMAN PILLAI.S. S/O.SANKARA PILLAI, VAZHALIL KIZHAKKATHIL, KALLALIBHAGOM, P.O., KARUNAGAPPALLY, KOLLAM.` - `25 GOVINDA SWAMY.K S/O.KARUPPAN, POLCACHIRA VAYALIL VEEDU, ASRAMAM SOUTH, KOLLAM.` **`WP(C) No.5447 of 2015`** -: 3 :- - `26 RAJENDRAN C. S/O.LATE CHELLAPPAN, RAJESHS BHAVANAM, CHOLA, PANMANA, PUTHENCHANTHA P.O.` - `27 MURUKESAN, S/O.NACHIMUTHU PILLAI, PULIMOOTTIL, VALIYAKULANGARA, OACHIRA P.O., KOLLAM.` - `28 SURENDAN K. S/O.KUNJU PILLAI, KAILASAM, PALAKKAL, THEVALAKKARA, KOLLAM.` - `29 JYOTHI C.S. S/O.R.SANKARA WARRIER, PULARI, 201, DARSANA NAGAR, PATTATHANAM P.O., KOLLAM-691 021.` - `30 VIJAYASAI B.K. S/O.A.P.BALAKRISHNAN, SAI KRISHNA, AMMAN NAGAR 80B, PATTATHANAM P.O.KOLLAM-691 -021.` - `31 MURALEEDHRAN M, S/O.LATE V. THANKAPPAN NAIR, POORNIMA NIVAS, EZHAKKADU P.O., PALAKKAD-678 631.` - `32 BIJUKUMAR.D.R. S/O.DAMODARAN, NANDANAM, KOLLAM, PANMANA, CHAVARA P.O.` - `33 BIJU.S, S/O.SIVADASAN N., THEERTHAM, NETTIYAD, PANMANA, EDAPPALLICHOTTA P.O., CHAVARA.` - `34 T.R.GOPAKUMAR, S/O.C.K.RAGHAVAN, THANDALATHU, AARAZMA, VALLIKUNNAM P.O., ALAPPUZHA.` - `35 B.MAHESH JYOTHI, S/O.N.BALAKRISHNA REDDIAR, RILL, SERA-74, VANROSS JUNCTION, TRIVANDRUM-1.` - `36 PRINCY S, S/O.SOMANATHAN PILLAI, NADAPPALLYTHARA, VENGARA, THODIYOOR (N) P.O., KARUNAGAPPALLY-690 523.` - `37 CHANDRASEKHARAN NAIR, S/O.P.V.VASUDEVAN NAIR, PALAPARAMBIL HOUSE, MARIYATHURUTHU P.O., KOTTAYAM-686 027.` - `38 ARIFA BEEVI.M. W/O.LATE ABDUL RASHEED, SHIJAD MANZIL, CHITTOOR, PONMANA, PANMANA P.O.` **`WP(C) No.5447 of 2015`** -: 4 :- - `39 DILEEP R, S/O.RAVEENDRAN P., VALIYATHARAYIL, KALLELIBHAGOM, KARUNAGAPPALLY, KOLLAM.` - `40 M.S.BABU,` - `S/O.M.N.SREEDHARAN PILLAI, UTHRADAM, KOIVILA P.O., KOLLAM-690 524.` - `41 CHANDRAN PILLAI.P, S/O.PACHAN PILLAI, MADHAVASSERIL, KALARI, PANMANA, CHAVARA.` - `42 MARIYA THOMAS, D/O.THOMAS AUGUSTIN, MULLA VEEDU, POROOCKKARA, EDAPPALLICOTTA P.O.` - `43 S.SAKTHIDHARAN PILLAI, S/O.P.SREEDHARAN PILLAI, SRUTHY, MANAKKARA, SASTHAMCOTTA P.O.` - `44 BINOY.A. S/O.K.ABRAHAM, PUNTHILATHU HOUSE, PULLICKANAK P.O., KAYAMKULAM-690 537.` - `45 SURESH PALANGATT, S/O.K.P.KUNHAPPAN, PRAPOYIL P.O., CHERUPUZHA VIA, KANNUR-670 511.` - `46 TONIYA JOSEPH S/O.K.T.JOSEPH, THENAMMACKAL HOUSE, VAYATTUPARAMBA P.O., KADUVIL VIA, KANNUR.` - `47 LAKSHMI MOHAN P, D/O.S.VIJAYA MOHANAN NAIR, AMBALATH, PARK JUNCTION, MAVELIKKARA-690 101.` - `48 RAGI RAJ R, D/O.S.RAJEEV, RAJEE AMRITHA GIRI, RESIDENT JUNCTION, VADASSERIKONAM P.O., TRIVANDRUM-43.` - `49 S.KRISHNAN NAIR, S/O.R.SREEDHARAN NAIR, KOUSTHUBHAM, MEKKADU, SANKARAMANGALAM, CHAVARA P.O.,691 583.` - `50 PURUSHOTHAMAN.A. S/O.A.PURUSHOTHAMAN NAMPOOTHIRI, THANAL, ORA NO.71, OLAYIL, KOLLAM-691 009.` - `51 SINDHU.V., W/O.SATHEESHKUMAR, PARAYIL HOUSE, BTR ESTATE, VALIYAPARAMBA, BEYPORE, KOZHIKODE-673 015.` **`WP(C) No.5447 of 2015`** -: 5 :- - `52 K.REGHUNATH, S/O.K.V.GOPINATHA PANICKER, SREEDEVI,KANDALLOOR NORTH, PATTOLI MARKET P.O., KAYAMKULAM, ALAPPUZHA-690 531.` - `53 THARYAN MATHEW VAIDYAN, S/O.P.O.MATHEW VAIDYAN, KARIPPOOTTU DEEPAM, SANTHINAGAR 56, RAMANKULANGARA, KAVANADU P.O., KOLLAM.` - `54 OMANAKUTTAN PILLAI, S/O.APPUKUTTAN PILLAI, NARAYANEEYAM, KOVOOR, ARINALLOOR P.O., KOLLAM-690 538.` - `55 JOHN G. OOMMEN, S/O.LATE JOHN OMMEN, KALATHRAYIL, CHEMMANTHOOR, PUNALUR-691 305.` - `56 M.U.VIJAYAKUMAR, S/O.U.E.MANIYAN, NANDANAM, KOLLAKA P.O., VADAKKUMTHALA, KARUNGAPPALLY.` - `57 REMESAN T.C. S/O.THANKACHAN, P-7, CHACKO NAGAR, FLAT NO.257, MEDICAL COLLEGE P.O., ULLOOR.` - `58 SAJAN J. S/O.JOSEPH VINCENT, S.S.NIVAS, KUREEPUZHA P.O., PERINAD, KOLLAM.` - `59 SAMRAJ S. S/O.SAMBAN K., KALAKKATTU HOUSE, ADINADU NORTH P.O., KARUNGAPPALLY, KOLLAM.` - `60 RISHIKESAVAN PILLAI.K S/O.KUTTAPPAN PILLAI, ASWATHI BHAVANM, SOUTH MYNAGAPPALLY, P.O., KOLLAM.` - `61 RENJITH M. S/O.HARIDAS M., ATHIKKOOTTATHIL, CMC-13, CHERTHALA P.O., ALAPPUZHA-688 524.` - `62 M.SUNILKUMAR, S/O.GOVINDAN K.P., KJAVILA PARAMBATH HOUSE, P.O.KIZHUNNA, KANNUR-7.` - `63 ULLAS P.K. S/O.P.C.KOCHUNNY, PUNNOKKIL HOUSE, URAKAM P.O.,-680 562.` - `64 JIJIO DAVI.P.L S/O.DAVID P.L., PORATHU HOUSE, PARANNUR, P.O.CHOONDAL-680 502, THRISSUR.` **`WP(C) No.5447 of 2015`** -: 6 :- - `65 K.RADHAMONY,` - `W/O.LATE RAVEENDRAN, RENJITH BHAVAN, MAVELI, MANAYIL P.O., PANMANA, CHAVARA.` - `66 VALSALA, W/O.SURENDRAN PILLAI, KARUKAVILAYIL VEEDU, ARINALLOOR SOUTH P.O., THEVALAKKARA-690 538.` - `67 SOORAJ.P. S/O.V.PADMANABHAN, ATHHIRA, 130, AIKYA NAGAR, MANAKKADU, VADAKKEVILA P.O., KOLLAM-10.` - `68 VINITH LALA.V. S/O.V.S.LALAN, PRANAVAM, 10/391B, AYYAPPANKAVUPARAMBU, GV SCHOOL ROAD, ARAKKINAR, CALICUT-673 028.` - `69 JESIL JOSEPH, S/O.JOSEPH P.T., ASWATHY, KODUVILA P.O., EAST KALLADA, KOLLAM-691 502.` - `70 ARJUN VISHNU T. S/O.VISHNU RAM T.V., THAMARAKULAM, MAMPATTA, MOKKOM P.O., KOZHIKODE-673 602.` - `71 MUHAMMEDICKBAL N.P. S/O.LATE PAREEKUTTY HAJI, NJADALI HOUSE,` - `VENGOLA P.O., PERUMBAVOOR VIA, ERNAKULAM-683 556.` - `72 BIJU.V. S/O.T.K.VISWAMBHARAN, SARVODAYA, VADAKKUMTHALA, KARUNAGAPPALLY , KOLLAM.` - `73 JAMES PAUL K. S/O.K.J.PAUL, DHANYA, PADA SOUTH, KARUNAGAPPALLY P.O., KOLLAM.` - `74 ABHILASH S.KALLATH, S/O.K.C.SUBRAMANIAN, KALLATH HOUSE, VELLUR BAZAR P.O., THRISSUR-680 601.` - `75 PREEJU V.EPHRAME, S/O.R.V.EPHRAME, LOVE DALE, KOVILA P.O., KOLLAM.` - `76 AJESH CHANDRAN B.C. S/O.D.BALACHANDRAN PILLAI, CHANDRAVILASOM, MUKUNDAPURAM P.O., CHAVARA-691 585.` - `77 SAJJAN SINGH J. S/O.B.JOHNSON, AKHIL BHAAN, VADAKKUMTHALA, KARUNAGAPPALLY , KOLLAM.` **`WP(C) No.5447 of 2015`** -: 7 :- - `78 SUMESH N SURESH, S/O.N.V.SURESHKUMAR, NARANATH HOUSE, THRITHALLOOR POST, THRISSUR-680 619.` - `79 GOPAKUMAR J. S/O.JANARDHANAN PILLAI, KLATHU VEEDU, KOLLAM, PANMANA, CHAVARA P.O.` - `80 JINOOB MUHAMMED, S/O.C.M.SALIM, NALUVILA VEEDU, PUNUKONNOOR, PERUMPUZHA P.O.` - `81 SREEJITH K.S. S/O.SREEDHARAN, KOORKACHIRAYIL, KALAVOOR P.O., ALAPPUZHA-688 522.` - `82 SAFARUDEEN.S. S/O.SALAHUDHEEN, VELLIKKARA THEKKATHIL, PALODU, PANMANA, EDAPPALLICOTTA P.O., CHAVARA, KOLLAM.` - `83 SHINOJ.K.V. S/O.VELAYUDHAN K.K., KOLLANKI HOUSE,` - `P.O.PADOOR, THRISSUR-680 524.` - `84 SATHEESHAN.S, S/O.SHANMUGHAN.C.S, CHOONEZHETHE HOUSE, KANDAMKULAM P.O., KODUNGALLUR-680 669.` - `85 S.SELVARAJ, S/O.Y.SOOSAI, PERIYAVILAI, 10/22C, THERUVUKKADAI P.O., KARUNGAL VIA, KANYAKUMARI DISTRICT-629 157.` - `86 K.MADHU MOHAN PILLAI, S/O.KUNJUKRISHNA PILLAI, THEKKATHIL VEEDU, MUKUNDAPURAM P.O., PATTATHANAM, CHAVARA.` - `87 SINOJ .S S/O.SIGAMANI, REVATHY BHAVAN, ROYAL NAGAR-55, ASRAMAM SOUTH, KOLLAM-691 001.` - `88 SREENATH K.DEVADAS, S/O.K.M.DEVADAS, KOTTAKANAKKAN PARAMBU, PERUMPADANNA, NORTH PARAVUR, ERNAKULAM-683 513.` - `89 J.ABDUL SHUKKOOR, S/O.JAMALUDHEEN KUNJU, KANIAYANTHAYYATHU HOUSE, AKKAL, PANMANA,EDAPPALLYCOTTA P.O., CHAVARA.` **`WP(C) No.5447 of 2015`** -: 8 :- - `90 REGHUKUMARAN NAIR, S/O.SIVARAMAN NAIR, MONISHI BAHVANAM, VADAKKUMTHALAMEK, KARUNAGAPPALLY P.O., KOLLAM.` - `91 LIJESH VATTUKALATHIL, S/O.SUDHAKARAN V.K., VATTUKALATHIL HOUSE, EDAKKARA P.O., PARALY, MALAPPURAM-679 331.` - `92 LIJO JACOB,` - `S/O.O.C.CHACKO, OTHARETH HOUSE, VAIPURA P.O., MALLAPPALLY, PATHANAMTHITTA-689 588.` - `93 RATHEESH R. S/O.REMANAN K., KOTTOOR VEEDU, ALAPPADU, ALUMKADAVU P.O., KARUNAGAPPALLY ,KOLLAM.` - `94 SANIL S. S/O.SASI R, KORAKULANGARA, PADEETTATHIL, KOLLAM, PANMANA, CHAVARA P.O.` - `95 RADHAKRISHNAN K, S/O.KOCHUCHERUKKAN, KRISHNA, KALLUMALA P.O., MAVELIKKARA` - `96 MIDHILESH KUMAR M.T., S/O.J.R.MOHANKUMAR, MIDHILESH BHAVANAM, CHITTOOR, PANMANA, PONMANA, CHAVARA.` - `97 NITHINDAS Y. S/O.YESUDAS, KAITHAVANA KIZHAKKATHIL, MEKKADU,CHAVARA.` - `98 A.MURUGAN, S/O.ARUMUGHAM, CRA NO.194, MUNICIPAL BUILDING, ANTONMNT SOUTH, KOLLAM-691 001.` - `99 SUNIL.V.K, S/O.BALAKRISHNAN M.M., SIVAPURI,` - `VLLIYODAKANDI, PERAMBRA P.O., CALICUT-673 525.` - `100 VIPIN M.V, S/O.M.G.VARGHESE, MAYYATTIL HOUS, NARAKAL P.O., ERNAKULAM-682 505.` ``` BY ADV SRI.P.RAMAKRISHNAN ``` **`WP(C) No.5447 of 2015`** -: 9 :- ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** ``` 1UNION OF INDIA REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, SHRAM SAKTHI BHAVAN, RAFI MARG, NEW DELHI-110 001. 2CENTRAL EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, 14-BHIKHAJI CAMA PLACE, NEW DELHI-110 066. 3THE REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, REGIONAL OFFICE, BHAVISHYANIDHI BHAVAN, PATTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 004. 4THE REGIONAL FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION,SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, PONNAMMA CHAMBERS, PARAMESWAR NAGAR, KOLLAM-691 001. 5KERALA MINERALS METALS LIMITED, CHAVARA P.O., KOLLAM-691 583, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHAIRMAN AND MANAGING DIRECTOR. BY ADVS. ASG FOR R1 SMT.NITA N.S, SC FOR R2 TO R4 SRI.K.ANAND SR. FOR R5 SMT.LATHA KRISHNAN SRI.N.N.SUGUNAPALAN SR. SMT.T.N.GIRIJA SCEPF ORGANISATION ``` ``` 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.5447 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.5447 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) 5447/2015`** ``` PETITIONERS’ EXHIBITS : ``` ``` EXT.P1.TRUE COPY OF THE DETAILS CONCERNING THE PETITIONERS, INCLUDING THEIR INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNT NUMBERS ISSUED BY THE EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND DEPARTMENT. EXT.P2TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION DATED 15/7/2014 SUBMITTED BY THE PETITIONER'S TRADE UNIONS BEFORE THE 1ST RESPONDENT. EXT.P3TRUE COPY OF THE NOTIFICATIONS DATED 2/8/2014 PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA OF MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT. EXT.P4TRUE COPY OF CALCULATION STATEMENT SHOWING THE DIFFERENCE IN PENSION RECEIVABLE BY THE EMPLOYEES. ```