Writ Petition (Civil) No. 15717 of 2020

## **`IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM`** ## **`PRESENT`** ## **`THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MURALI PURUSHOTHAMAN FRIDAY, THE 25[TH] DAY OF AUGUST 2023 / 3RD BHADRA, 1945 WP(C) NO. 15717 OF 2020`** ## **`PETITIONERS:`** ``` 1K.S.SABU, AGED 66 YEARS S/O. G. KRISHNAN, LEETHA MANDIRAM, M.C. NAGAR, BALARAMAPURAM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695501. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000305 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00076739. 2V. BALAGOPAL, S/O. VELAYUDHAN NAIR, T.C. 4/2529, RAJA BHAVAN, EAST PATTOM, TRIVANDRUM-695004. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/272 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00066685. 3E.N. MANI ACHARI, S/O. NARAYANAN ACHARI, SREESYLAM, V.P. XX/853, OPP. ALIND, KAVINPURAM, PULIYARAKONAM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695573. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/138/356 PPO NO. KR/TVM/55371. 4MOHANAN N., S/O. NATARAJA PILLAI, ABHI NIVAS, T.C. 28/22(1), NEW 83/30, MRA-35, OTTUKAL STREET, KAITHAMUKKU, PETTAH P.O., TRIVANDRUM -695024. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000450 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00078441. 5VENU R., S/O. RAMAKRISHNAN M., THOPPIL HOUSE, T.C. 30/1624, HOUSE NO. KSV 111/, PETTAH P.O., TRIVANDRUM -695024. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000473 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00079546. 6G. PRASANNA KUMAR, S/O. GOVINDAN NAIR, OLD AYSWARYA MANGAD, THIRUMALA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695006. EPF A/C. NO. KR/138/344 ``` ``` WP(C).No.15717 OF 2020 ``` ``` 2 ``` ``` PPO NO. KR/TVM/34347. ``` - **`7 PANKAJAKSHAN NAIR M., S/O. P. MADHAVAN PILLAI, AMBADI, ANOOR, KATTAIKONAM., POTHENCODE P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695584. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000423 PPO NO. KR/TVM/000 70431.`** - **`8 SREENIVAS V., S/O. R.V. IYER, FLAT NO. 4D, J.M. AVENUE APARTMENTS, GANGA NAGAR FIRST CROSS, MANACAUD P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-09.`** ``` EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000568 PPO NO. KR/TVM/000 86153. ``` - **`9 K. RAJAN, S/O. S. KRISHNAN WARRIER, RAJASREE, PNRA D-25, SREEKRISHNA LANE, KAWDIAR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695003. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000 731 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00083225.`** - **`10 S. VIJAYAKUMARAN NAIR, S/O. P. SREEDHARAN NAIR, CHITHIRA, 30/234-1, KALLUMMOODU, ANAYARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695029. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000541 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00083290.`** ``` 11PRASANNAN K., S/O. K. KUNJUKRISHNAN, T.C.79/2268, THIRUVONAM, KARIKKAKOM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-21 EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/000462 PPO NO. KR/TVM/72578. ``` ``` 12R. RAJENDRAN, S/O. K. RAGHAVAPANKICKER, PUNNAVILA NEW HOUSE, KOTTUKAL P.O., BALARAMAPURAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695501. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000283 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00074832. 13SATHYAN D., S/O. DIVAKARAN G., GOKULAM, T.C. 76/2299 (1), ``` ``` WP(C).No.15717 OF 2020 ``` ``` 3 ``` ``` ANAYARA P.O., THIRUVNANANTHAPURAM-695029. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000420 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00064817. 14SUKUMARAN C., S/O. L. CHELLAPPAN CHETTIYAR, KIZHAKKETHOPPIL VEEDU, ANAYARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695029 EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000527 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00072621. 15SURENDRAN, S/O. SUBHRAMANIAN, KAVITHA NIVAS, VENNIYOOR, NELLIVILA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/138/188 PPO NO. KR/TVM/12296. 16T. SURENDRAN, S/O. THAMPI K., TC 76/95/1, GANGATHEERTHAM, MUGHAKKAD LANE, ARA-119, ANAYARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695029 EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000798 PPO NO. KR/TVM/0007461. 17THANKAPPAN K., S/O. KUMARU, RADHAMANDIRAM, VAZHAMUTTOM, PACHALLOOR P.O. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/138/140, PPO NO. KR/TVM/33085. 18SASIKUMAR K.G., S/O. K. GOVINDAN, PULLIYIL MUDUMBIL VEEDU, T.C. 31/783(1), NEW T.C. 93/2906, PULLI LANE, APRA-45, CHACKAI, PETTAH P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695029. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/138/169. PPO NO. KR/TVM/33467. 19SIVANKUTTY P., S/O. PARAMESWARAN, SANTHA MANDIRAM, VASHAMUTTAM, PACHALLOOR P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695027. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000665 ``` ``` WP(C).No.15717 OF 2020 ``` ``` 4 ``` ``` PPO NO. KR/TVM/00086249. 20GIREENDRABABU V.K., S/O. K. VISHWAMBHARAN, REVATHY, JANASAKTHY NAGAR, JNRA-42, PONGUMMOODU, MEDICAL COLLEGE P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695011. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000470 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00073328. 21RAJAN N., S/O. P. NARAYANAN, RAJVIHAR, THOPPIL LANE, TC 92/283, ANAYARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695029 EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000396 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00079365. 22J. SURESH KUMAR, S/O. P. JANARDHANAN, KIZHAKKATHIL PUTHEN VEEDU, TC 92/3225, ANAYARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695029. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000844 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00083032. 23GEETHAKUMARI B., D/O. M. GOPALAPILLAI, AKSHAY, TC14/213(2), EDATHARAMUKKUM, ANAYARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695029. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000572 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00086840. 24GEETHA R., D/O. K. KUTTAN, GEETHA BHAVAN, T.C.34/71, SHANGHUMUGHOM BEACH P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695007. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000736 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00086088. 25S. PRADEEP., S/O. S. SIVAN, PRASANTH, TC 43/486(1), KBAC LANE, MUTTATHARA, VALLAKADAVU P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695059. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000790 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00086839. 26SREEKUMARI P.K., D/O. G. PARAMESWARAN NAIR, ``` ``` WP(C).No.15717 OF 2020 ``` ``` 5 ``` ``` SREEDHAR, TC 30/244(1), KALLUMMOODU, ANAYARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695029. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000747 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00082781. ``` ``` 27K. SREEDHARAN, S/O. P. KESAVAN, SRENI, KATTIL LANE, TC 95/576, KUMARAPURAM, MEDICAL COLLEGE P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/138/274 PPO NO. KR/TVM/57531. 28BABU P.K., S/O. S. KRISHNAN, TC 86/1717(1), MANNAMVILAKAM, PARAKKUDI LANE, PKLRA-40, PETTAH P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-24. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/138/271 PPO NO. KR/TVM/55138. 29P. SURESAN, S/O. PONNAN, KATTIL VEEDU, PETTAHA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM -24. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/138/159 PPO NO. KR/TVM/50469. 30PREMACHANDRAN S., S/O. SAHADEVAN K., BHANU COTTAGE, PUTHEN ROAD, PETTAH P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM -24. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0138/744 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00073062. 31A.UNNIKRISHNAN NAIR, S/O. ACHUTHAN PILLAI, THATHWAMASI, ARATTU ROAD, AVANAVANCHERY, ATTINGAL, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695103. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/138/569 PPO NO. KR/TVM/58717. 32V.P. HARIHARAN, S/O. PAPPU ASARI R., HARSHAM, PRIYADARSHINI, PRASANTH NAGAR, ``` ``` WP(C).No.15717 OF 2020 ``` ``` 6 ``` ``` MEDICAL COLLEGE P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0138/432 PPO NO. KR/TVM/3232. 33V. SAHADEVAN, S/O. VIKRAMAN VAIDYAN, KARTHIKA, KARIMPALOOR, PUTHENKULAM P.O., KOLLAM-691302. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/138/201. PPO NO. KR/TVM/35366. 34RAJAN P.K., S/O. P. KUTTAN ACHARI, MAKAYIRAM T.C.96/1980, CHERUVIKKAL, SREEKARIYAM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695017. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/0592 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00083221. 35SURESH BABU P., S/O. C.O. PURUSHOTHAMAN, BODHI, SAUHRUDA NAGAR, HOLY CROSS L.P.S. ROAD, KURISADI, VANDITHADAM, KALLIYOOR, VELLAYANI P.O., THIRUVANANTHAURAM-695522. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000573 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00079681. 36K. PRASANNA KUMAR, S/O. S. KESAVAN, KALLUTHATTU VEEDU, ARUMANOOR, POOVAR P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000480 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00083220. 37VIMAL KUMAR C., S/O. K. CHANDRASEKHARAN, ALUMKADAPUTHEN VEEDU, THATTAMALA P.O., KOLLAM-20. EPF A/C. NO. KR/KLM/138/0606. PPO NO. KR/KLM/00108292. 38S. RADHAKRISHNAN, S/O. P.K. SIVADASAN, REMYA, ARA 4, MUNDAKKAL EAST, KOLLAM-691001. ``` ``` WP(C).No.15717 OF 2020 ``` ``` 7 ``` ``` EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000481 PPO NO. KR/KLM/00104705. 39V. ANIRUDHAN, S/O. P. VELU, KODIMOOTTIL HOUSE, PARIPPALLY P.O., KOLLAM-691574. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000487 PPO NO. KR/KLM/00103873. 40K. RAJAN BABU, S/O. K. KARUNAKARAN, VIJAYA BHAVAN, VALATHUNGAL P.O., KOLLAM. EPF A/C. NO. KR/KLM/138/485 PPO NO. KR/KLM/0010367. 41RAJAN K., S/O. KRISHNAN K., TC 76/1150, SHARAN NIVAS, BHAGATHSINGH ROAD, KAKKADU LANE, PETTAH P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-24. EPF A/C. NO. KR/4975/0350. PPO NO. KR/TVM/00078672. 42R. PADMAKUMARAN NAIR, S/O. K. RAMACHANDRAN NAIR, VENKULATHUMOOLA HOUSE, WEST OF FCI, KAZHAKUTTOM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695582. EPF A/C. NO. KR/4975/0484 PPO NO. KR/TVM/75450. 43UDAYAPPAN R., S/O. REGHUNATHAN R., PUTHUVEED, ANAYARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695029. EPF A/C. NO. KR/4975/0104 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00079215. 44P. SURENDRAN, S/O. A. PARAMESWARAN, THUNDATHIL VEEDU, NEERAZHI ROAD, SNRRA-69, ULLOOR, MEDICAL COLLEGE P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695011. EPF A/C. NO. KR/4975/52 PPO NO. KR/TVM/56630. 45K. BALACHANDRAN NAIR, S/O. N. KRISHNA PILLAI, TC 4/2186, MARAPPALAM, PATTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695004. ``` ``` WP(C).No.15717 OF 2020 ``` ``` 8 ``` ``` EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0003267/000/0000279 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00085249. ``` ``` 46SUNDARESAN K., S/O. G. KUNJURAMAN, CHAITHRAM, JOURNALIST NAGAR, KADAPPAKKADA, KOLLAM-691008. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0000138/000/0000458 PPO NO. KR/KLM/00086866. 47K.V. SUDHAKARAN, S/O. K.K.VAVA, AMMU, VADACKAL P.O., ALAPPUZHA-688003. EPF A/C. NO. KR/KCH/0002702/000/0000214 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00077900. 48R. SUDARSANA BABU, S/O. RAGHAVAN K.P., KALHARAM, TC 2/453(14), PT CHACKO NAGAR, MEDICAL COLLEGE P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695011. UAN NO. 100288801807 PPO NO. 76206. 49V. SUBRAMANIAN, S/O. VELAYUDHAN, SAPHALYAM, PADAM-II, CROSS ROAD, ELAMAKKARA, KOCHI-682026. EPF NO. KR/2702/198. PPO NO. KR/KCH/00033127. 50K.M. MOHAN DAS, S/O. KUNJIKRISHNAN, JYOTHIS, CHITTADIKKADAV ROAD, MOKAVOOR, ERANHIKKAL P.O., KOZHIKODE-673303. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0012256/000/0000163 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00079226. 51V. JAIN, S/O. N.VASUDEVAN, KEDARAM, KAIRALI STREET, PATTAMBI P.O., PALAKKAD-679303. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0012256/000/0000128 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00082430. 52L.V. JOHNSON, ASWATHY, PRIYADARSHINI NAGAR-145, KANNIMMEL, KILIKOLLUR, KOLLAM-691004. ``` ``` WP(C).No.15717 OF 2020 ``` ``` 9 ``` ``` MEMBER ID KRKTM00122560000000101 PPO NO. KRKLM 00113354. ``` ``` 53R. VENUGOPLAN UNNITHAN, S/O. P. RAMAN KURUP, ARYA NIVAS, TC 25/845-1, THYCAUD P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695014. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0012256/000/0000112 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00079625. 54K. RAMA THAMBAI, RAMANEEYAM, KUMARAPURAM PALACE, ERAVIMANGALAM P.O., THRISSUR-680751. EPF A/C. NO. KR/KCH/0002702/00B/0000028. PPO NO. KR/KCH/00106818. 55I. JOHN, S/O. E.D. ENASU, EDAKKULATHUR HOUSE, OLLUKKARA P.O., KUNNATHUNGARA, THRISSUR-680655. EPF A/C. NO. KR/KCH/0002702/00B/0000026 PPO NO. KR/KCH/00106016. ``` ``` 56K.K. RUDHAKSHAN, S/O. K.K. KOCHURAMAN, KAYAMPURATH HOUSE, KATTOOR, IRINJALAKUDA, THRISSUR-680702 EPF A/C. NO. KR/KCH/0002702/00B/0000017 PPO NO. KR/KCH/00106746. 57V.M. RADHAKRISHNAN, S/O. V.G. MADHAVAN, VATTUKULAM HOUSE, PANACHERY, PATTIKKAD P.O., THRISSUR-680652. EPF A/C. NO. KR/KCH/0002702/00B/0000023 PPO NO. KR/KCH/00106745. 58JOBY VARGHESE, S/O. V.T. JOHN, VADAKKE OZHATHIL VEEDU, TC 5/787, KATTELA, SREEKARYAM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695017. EPF A/C. NO. KR/KTM/0002702/00A/0000089 PPO NO. KR/TVM/0084419. 59C. RATHEESH KUMAR, S/O. K. CHELLAPPAN PILLAI, AKHILAM, TC 13/2112 (2), KRA D46/6, KALAKAUMUDI ROAD, ``` ``` WP(C).No.15717 OF 2020 ``` ``` 10 ``` ``` KANNAMOOLA, MEDICAL COLLEGE P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695011. EPF A/C. NO. TN/MAS/1678699/000/0010162 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00086889. ``` ``` 60P.M. NARAYANAN, TC NO. 55/620, MRA 09, GOVIND GARDENS, AYYANTHOLE, THRISSUR-680003. EPC NO. TN/MAS/0000568/000/0005553 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00069898. 61T. RAMACHANDRAN, S/O. G.K. MENON, HOUSE NO. 32/791 B, ELAVUNGAL ROAD, PALARIVATTOM, KOCHI-682025. EPF NO. TN/MAS/1678699/000/0011385 PPO NO. KR/KCH/00112182.. 62PRASAD LAKSHMANAN, S/O. P.LAKSHMANAN, RAMAVILAS, TC 27/25-1, MRA 85/METRO LANE, VANCHIYOOR P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695035. EPF A/C. NO. KR/TVM/0003267/000/0000117 PPO NO. KR/TVM/00079044. ``` ``` 63B.S. PRASANNAN, S/O. BALAKRISHNA PILLAI, GULMOHAR, KARAKULAM P.O., VAZHAYILA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695564. MEMBER ID KRKTM0005975000000352 PPO NO. KRTVM 00086770. 64B. HARIKUMAR, S/O. BHASKARAN PILLAI, GEETHA MANDIRAM, SANTHANAPURAM P.O., KALARCODE, ALAPPUZHA-688003. EPF A/C. NO. KR/KKD/0011761/000/0000065 PPO NO. KR/KCH/00100581. 65K. JAYAPRAKASH, S/O. GEETHA S., KANNAMPALLIL, MATTOM SOUTH, MAVELIKKARA, ALAPPUZHA-690103. EPF A/C. NO. KR/KCH/0003220/000/0000699 PPO NO. KR/KCH/00110425. ``` ``` WP(C).No.15717 OF 2020 ``` ``` 11 ``` - **`66 S. SUDHEESAN, S/O. SADANANDAN, RADHIKA, JOURNALIST NAGAR, KADAPPAKKADA, KOLLAM-691571. EPF NO. KR/KC/4837/50 PPO NO. KR/TVM/47625.`** - **`67 MOHANAN NAIR S., LAKSHMY BHAVAN, MANALIL, KUREEPUZHA EAST, KAVANAD P.O., KOLLAM-691003. EPF NO. KR/KLM/0003991/000/0000016 PPO NO. KR/KLM/0079213.`** - **`68 P.K. ABDUL AZEEZ, S/O. P.K. ALI, PILIKANDI HOUSE, CHERUKATTOOR, WAYANAD-670721. EPF NO. KR/KKD/0000277/000/0000300 PPO NO. KR/KKD/00057323.`** ``` BY ADVS. V.V.NANDAGOPAL NAMBIAR SMT.SMITHA (EZHUPUNNA) SRI.DHEERAJ KRISHNAN PEROT SMT.CHITRA JOHNSON ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS:`** - **`1 UNION OF INDIA, REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, MINISTRY OF LABOUR 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 FUND ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, KOCHI-682017.`** - **`4 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, TRIVANDRUM-695004.`** - **`5 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, KOZHIKODE-673006.`** - **`6 THE ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION,`** ``` WP(C).No.15717 OF 2020 ``` ``` 12 ``` ``` SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, KOLLAM-691001. ``` - **`7 KERALA KAUMUDY, KAUMUDI BUILDING, KAUMUDI NAGAR, PETTAH, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695024.`** - **`8 DESHABHIMANI PUBLICATIONS, ARISTO JUNCTION, THAMPANOOR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.`** - **`9 THE HINDU, 43/339, NATIONAL HIGHWAY BYPASS ROAD, VYTTILA, ERNAKULAM-682019.`** - **`10 KALAKAUMUDI, ARRA 158, KALAKAUMUDI LANE, KUMARAPURAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, KERALA -695011.`** - **`11 MANGALAM PUBLICATIONS PRIVATE LTD., MANGALAM COMPLEX, SH MOUNT P.O., KOTTAYAM-686006.`** - **`12 MADHYAMAM, GANDHARI AMMAN KOVIL ROAD, PULIMOODU, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.`** - **`13 THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS, 5TH FLOOR, KARIMPANAL STATUES AVENUE, G.H. ROAD, STATUE, M.G. ROAD, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.`** - **`14 VEEKSHANAM PRINTING AND PUBLISHING CO. LTD., VEEKSHANAM ROAD, NORTH KALOOR, KALOOR, KOCHI, KERALA-682018.`** - **`15 KERALA SHABDAM AND NAANA WEEKLY, R. KRISHNASWAMY MEMORIAL BUILDING, LAKSHMINADA, ERNAKULAM HO, ERNAKULAM-682011.`** - **`16 CHANDRIKA DAILY, 25/2029(I), DHARMALAYAM ROAD, THAMPANOOR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695001.`** ``` BY ADVS. SRI.P.VIJAYAKUMAR, ASG OF INDIA DR.ABRAHAM P.MEACHINKARA SRI.P.P.THAJUDEEN SRI.TOM JOSE SRI.V.KRISHNA MENON SHRI.BALRAM S.A. SRI.P.BENNY THOMAS SRI.C.S.AJITH PRAKASH SMT.C.SEENA SMT.P.VIJAYAMMA ``` ``` WP(C).No.15717 OF 2020 ``` ``` 13 ``` ``` SRI.T.K.DEVARAJAN SRI.D.PREM KAMATH SMT.GEETHA JOB(OZHUKAYIL) SMT. NIMMI BABU SHRI.ABEL TOM BENNY SMT.T.N.SREEKALA SMT.J.SURYA SHRI.JYOTHISH KRISHNA SRI.FRANKLIN ARACKAL SHRI.BABU M. SMT.MEENAKSHY S DEV SMT.ANCY THANKACHAN SHRI.AHAMMAD SACHIN K. SMT. NITA N.S. - SC SRI. S. MANU - GP ``` ``` THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 25.08.2023, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` ``` WP(C).No.15717 OF 2020 ``` ``` 14 ``` ## **`JUDGMENT`** ## This writ petition is filed seeking the following reliefs:- “a) a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or order directing respondents 2 to 6 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 7th to 16th respondent establishments without imposing any artificial wage ceiling. b) a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ or order directing the respondents 2 to 6 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 7th to 16th respondent establishments. c) to hold that the petitioners are entitled to the benefits conferred by Ext P2 judgment.” ``` WP(C).No.15717 OF 2020 ``` ``` 15 ``` 2. The petitioners are retired employees of 7[th] to 16[th] respondent 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. Smt.Nita N.S, the learned Standing Counsel for the Employees’ Provident Fund 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 ``` WP(C).No.15717 OF 2020 ``` ``` 16 ``` 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 ``` SPR ``` WP(C).No.15717 OF 2020 ``` ``` 17 ``` ## **`APPENDIX`** ## **`PETITIONERS EXHIBITS :-`** ``` EXHIBIT P1A TRUE COPY OF THE AMENDMENT AS PER GSR NO. 609(E) DATED 22/08/2014. EXHIBIT P2TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 12/10/2018 IN WPC NO. 13120/2015 REPORTED IN ILR 2019(1) KERALA 614. ``` ## **`RESPONDENTS EXHIBITS:`** - **`ANNEXURE R5(A) TRUE COPY OF ESTIMATION OF THE ACTUARIAL REPORT DATED 27.12.2018 PREPARED BY M/S/ K.A.PANDIT, CONSULTANT AND ACTUARIES FOR EPFO.`** - **`ANNEXURE R5(B) TRUE COPY OF ESTIMATION OF LIABILITY OF EPS 1995 AS ON 31.03.2017 PREPARED BY M/S/K.A PANDIT, CONSULTANT AND ACTUARIES FOR EPFO DATED 27.12.2018.`** - **`ANNEXURE R5(C) TRUE COPY OF EXPLANATORY STATEMENT DATED 20.06.2019 PREPARED BY M/S/K.A PANDIT, CONSULTANT AND ACTUARIES FOR EPFO.`** - **`ANNEXURE R5(D) TRUE COPY OF A MODEL CALCULATION OF A RETIRED EMPLOYEE ON HIGHER CONTRIBUTION OF SALARY.`** - **`ANNEXURE R5(E) TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 12.07.2019 HON’BLE SUPREME COURT IN SLP(CIVIL) DIARY NO.11023/2019.`** - **`ANNEXURE R5(F) TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 06.02.2020 IN CONMT PET.(C) NO.19171918/2018 IN CA NO.10013-10014/2016 PENDING BEFORE HON’BLE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA.`** - **`ANNEXURE R5(G) TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER OF THIS HON’BLE COURT IN CONTEMPT CASE (C) NO.1007 OF 2020 DATED 19.08.2020.`** - **`ANNEXURE R5(H) TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 03.07.2020 IN W.P.(C) NO.2654 OF 2020 OF THIS HON’BLE COURT.`** ``` WP(C).No.15717 OF 2020 ``` ``` 18 ``` |**`ANNEXURE R5(I)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER OF THE HON’BLE`**| |---|---| ||**`HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA BY`**| ||**`ORDER DATED 14.01.2020 IN CWP NO.19985`**| ||**`OF 2018.`**| |**`ANNEXURE R5(J)`**|**`TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER OF THE HON’BLE`**| ||**`INDORE BENCH OF HIGH COURT OF MADHYA`**| ||**`PRADESH BY ORDER DATED 03.03.2020 IN`**| ||**`WP NO.20572 OF 2018.`**|