Kerala High Court

S.Jayan vs Union Of India (Uoi), Represented ... on 12 April, 2023

                  IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
                                  PRESENT
                THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE ZIYAD RAHMAN A.A.
         Wednesday, the 12th day of April 2023 / 22nd Chaithra, 1945
                            WP(C) NO. 6905 OF 2023
PETITIONERS:

  1. S.JAYAN, AGED 71 YEARS T.C.39/1770(1) HNO 46, YAMUNANAGAR, MANACADU
     PPO NOKRTVM 00085535, PIN - 695005
  2. P. GOPINATHAN AGED 72 YEARS JAYAHARI, C.H.L.R.A - 06 CHERAI HOME
     LANEE KOWDIAR. P.O THIRUVANATHAPURAM PPO NO.KRTVM 00088036 - 7007,
     PIN - 695003
  3. K.REGHUNANDANAN THAMPI AGED 69 YEARS T.C.36/564, ERA -69 POURNAMI,
     PALKULANGARA VALLAKKADAVU P.O THIRUVANATHAPURAM , PPO NO.KRTVM
     00066624, PIN - 695008
  4. S.XAVER AGED 70 YEARS TC39/1852(3) KAVARI GARDEN CHALAI .P.O,
     THIRUVANATHAPURAM -. PPO NOKRTVM 00084614, PIN - 695036
  5. C.V. DAVID AGED 69 YEARS PRATHYASA, TC 15/762 - 1 (OLD)
     TC.29/1618(NEW), COTTONHILL, SASTHAMANGALAM .P.O THIRUVANATHAPURAM
     PPO NOKRTVM00088418, PIN - 695010
  6. K.VIJAYAKUMAR AGED 73 YEARS VAISHNAVI, TC 85/1264(1) AMBA GARDENS,
     PALKULAGARA THIRUVANATHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM 00084676, PIN - 685024
  7. B.SATHISHKUMAR AGED 68 YEARS VELAYUDHA MANDIRAM, HOUSE NO A-51
     SREERANGOM LANE, SASTHAMANGALAM. PO THIRUVANTAHPURAM PPO
     NOKRTVM00084646, PIN - 695010
  8. M.JAYAMOHAN AGED 70 YEARS KALIYILKONATHUVEEDU MARKET ROAD ATTINGAL,
     THIRUVANATHAPURAM PPO NO.KRTVM00084821 , PIN - 695101
  9. JOLLY MATHEW AGED 68 YEARS HOUSE NO.BN416 CHEMPAKASSERIL BABPUJI
     NAGAR PONGUMOODU, M.COLLEGE. P.O PPO NO.KRTVM00074039, PIN - 695017
 10. RAJAN AGED 71 YEARS BHADRADEEPAM MRA 89, MANNADI LANE, PEROORKKADA
     PO THIRUVANATHAPURAM PPO NO.KRTVM00084705, PIN - 695005
 11. K.K.CHANDRASEKHARAN AGED 75 YEARS TC7/2/1 KALLAMPALLY,
     SREEKARIYAM.P.O THIRUVANATHAPURAM -, PPO NOKRTVM 51957 T5, PIN -
     695017
 12. KOMALAKUMARI AMMA, AGED 67 YEARS ASWATHI, TC 53/1764, SRA A 22
     SANTHIVILA, NEMOM P.O - , THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,
     P.P.O.NO.KR/TVM00070159 , PIN - 695020
 13. P.J.ANTONY AGED 75 YEARS PATHIL -GEE MANGALAM TC. 17/2977/
     PANACHOMOODU LANE (OLD TC 2/3018) PATTOM P.O, TVM PPO NO.KRTVM 85031
     , PIN - 695004
 14. G. THANKACHAN AGED 70 YEARS LITTLE FLOWER LPASE T.C 32/1382(4), NEW
     86/602 HOUSE NO A.132 , CHAKKI ITI JN. TRIVANDRUM - . PPO
     NORTVM00084444, PIN - 695001
 15. AJITHKUMAR.K AGED 72 YEARS TC 3/2372 PKRA 47 KUNNUPURTHUVEED PATTOM
     P.O, PPO NOKRTVM 00085552 , PIN - 695004
 16. P.DINESHBABU AGED 70 YEARS DRISHYA 311, DARSHAN NAGAR PEROORKADA ,
     THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PPO NO. KRTVM00086421 , PIN - 695005
 17. JOSEPH JOEY AGED 72 YEARS CHOORKUTTIL HOUSE TC 17/3247(2/3228 OLD)
     KULAGARA LANE, PATTOM, TRIVANDRUM PPO NOKRTVM 59708, PIN - 695004
 18. D.DEVADASAN AGED 72 YEARS PUTHUVAL PUTHAN VEEDU, KOCHUVELI, TITANIUM
     P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM00085343, PIN - 695021
19. P.ALBY AGED 70 YEARS TC90/622(1) VETTUCAUD, BALANAGAR, VETTUCAUD
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NOKRTVM 88521 , PIN - 695021
20. S. GEETHAKUMARI AGED 66 YEARS GEETHANJALI, CGRA 10 CHANGALLOR,
    POLAPURA TRIVANDRUM , PPO NO KRTVM 84651 , PIN - 695012
21. T.ALPHONSE AGED 69 YEARS TC 34/1754 (1), ASHADOM KOCHTHOPE,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO 00085526, PIN - 695008
22. L. MOHANAN ASARI AGED 67 YEARS VINEETH BHAVAN, TC91/2511 KARKKAKOM P
    O, TRIVANDRUM PPO NO (NEW) KRTVM00084542 , PIN - 695021
23. N.C.HARIKRISHNAKUMAR AGED 68 YEARS SREEDHANYA, TC/21/531
    KUDAPPANAKUNNU, MIKOLAKAL. P.O TRIVANDRUM PPO NOKRTVM 00085103 , PIN
    - 695043
24. C.S. BALAGANGATHARA TILAK AGED 75 YEARS S/O P. CHNDRASEKHARAN NAIR
    TC14/314(NEW TC 95/575) ASWATHY, POTHIYANAM ROAD, KUMARAPURAM,
    MEDICAL COLLEGE P. O, THIRUVANTHAPURAM PPO NOKRTVM 00085326, PIN -
    695011
25. A.SALIM AGED 67 YEARS A.SALIM AGED 67 YEARS BISONILLA MANZIL KP
    16/359, VATTAVILA KILLY, KULATHUNMNAL, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO
    NOKRTVM00084826, PIN - 695571
26. P.MADHAVAKURUP AGED 69 YEARS TC 91/1432, GOWRI BHAVAN KARIKKAM .P.O
    THIRUVANATHAPURAM PPO NOKRTVM 00084532, PIN - 695021
27. HRISHIKESAN . S AGED 68 YEARS ATHIRA TC 37/1394(2) CHAKAI,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM 00084697 , PIN - 695024
28. A.K.RAJAMOHAN AGED 71 YEARS SREENAGAR, SREEVARAHAM, VALLAKADAVU P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - PPO NO KRTVM 0085038, PIN - 695008
29. ROBERT . A AGED 72 YEARS MIDHUN NIVAS MARATHUR,NEYATTINKARA. P.O
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM 00084783 , PIN - 691121
30. M.H. SHAHABDEEN AGED 71 YEARS TC 32/153, PUTHUVALVEEDU, MADHEPURAM
    TITANIUM P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM 84615, PIN - 695021
31. N.K. SASANKAN NAIR AGED 71 YEARS SOORYAMANGALAM, THIRUVALLAM, NR.
    BNVHS TRIVANDRUM PPO NO KRTVM 00085101 , PIN - 695027
32. C. JAYAMOHANAN AGED 70 YEARS ATHIRA MLR 91, MANGALAM LANE,
    SASTHAMANGALAM THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM 00084613 , PIN -
    695010
33. N.SUDHEER BABU AGED 70 YEARS REVATHY, TC 79/2024, ARA 197, KARIKKAM
    THIRUVANTHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM 00085290, PIN - 695021
34. DEVAPALAN.V AGED 69 YEARS SEVAK, TC 55/2291, SAINAGAR PAPPANAMCODE
    P.O, THIRUVANTHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM00084734 , PIN - 695018
35. S.PREMACHANDRAN AGED 68 YEARS PRMIKA, PERUVILA KOOTTAPPANA,
    NEYYATTINKARA P.O THIRUVNATHAPURAM, PPO NO KRTVM 00085345 , PIN -
    695121
36. NATESAN ASARI .S AGED 71 YEARS JAYASREE BHAVAN TC 76/652 - 1,
    ORUVATHILKOTTA, ANAYARA P.O THIRUVANTHAPURAM PPO NO (NEW)KRTVM
    00084715, PIN - 695029
37. THOMAS FERNANDEZ AGED 72 YEARS TAFF HOUSE, TC 34/614(1) BEACH P.O
    THIRUVANTHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM 88310 , PIN - 695007
38. C.RADHAKRISHNAN AGED 68 YEARS SANDARAM, TC.31/179(1) CHACKAI,
    TRIVANDRUM PPO NO KRTVM 84454 , PIN - 695024
39. HILLARY AGED 73 YEARS TC33/383, ST.MARY'S COTTAGE TRIVANDRUM PPO NO
    KRTVM 84456 , PIN - 695021
 40. MANUEL FERNANDEZ AGED 66 YEARS ARCHANA, TC 34/375 JUDGI COMPOUND,
    KAMMANTHRA, BEACH P O PPO NO KRTVM 00084684 , PIN - 695007
41. M.MOHAMMED HUSSAIN AGED 69 YEARS C/O MOHAMMEKUNJE HUSSAIN MANZIL,
    NEAR UL -UTHSMAN SEHOST VADAKKUMBHAGOM, KAZHAKOOTAM,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM 00085739, PIN - 695582
42. SIVASANKARA IYAR AGED 72 YEARS TC 87/1807, WEST STRET FORT,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM 00084856 , PIN - 695023
43. M. NEELAKANTA IYER AGED 68 YEARS TC 42/419(1) VIGSHS TRA55
    SREEVARAGAM, VALLAKADVU P.O THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM00066569,
    PIN - 695008
44. J. SEBASTIAN AGED 68 YEARS CHARUVILAPUTHAN VEEDU TC 18/115 JRA 802
    PLAVILA, THIRUMALA PPO NO KRTVM 00084711 , PIN - 695006
45. K.J.LIVINGSTON AGED 71 YEARS TC 32/931 MODERN HOUSE BEACH P.O
    TRIVANDRUM PPO NO KRTVM 96601 , PIN - 695007
46. J.MOHANA KUMAR AGED 70 YEARS JINGLEE BELLS TC 8/491(2) MANGAD,
    THIRUMALA P.O TRIVANDRUM PPO NO KRTVM 00085542, PIN - 695006
47. K. GOPAKUMARAN NAIR AGED 72 YEARS AMBIKA BHAVAN, KNRA 71, PANGAPARA
    TRIVANDRUM PPO NO KRTVM 84854 , PIN - 695581
48. GEORGE .G AGED 67 YEARS PUNARTHAM, UPPUMAVILA SWAMIYARMADOM
    CHEMPAZHATHY. PO ULIYAZHTHARA , THIRUVANANTHAPURAM , PIN - 695587
49. E. SEBASTIAN CADOZ AGED 69 YEARS MAZHAVEMCHERIL TCVP/644(1)
    NADUVATHARA LANE, NEYYATTINKARA P.O THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM
    00085537 , PIN - 695013
50. C VARGHESE AGED 73 YEARS MANGALDEEP, SANGUMUGHOM, BEACH PO ,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO 85033 , PIN - 695007
51. H . BASHEER AGED 70 YEARS TC 32/939(1), BE BEACH PO ,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM00088038, PIN - 695007
52. K. SREEKANTAN NAIR AGED 69 YEARS SREEJA TC 20/2738 48/2548 NEDUCADU
    ROAD, KARAMANA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM 0008495 , PIN -
    695002
53. MOHAN ACHARY .K AGED 69 YEARS KAILAS, CHERUVAKKAL, SREEKARYAM P.O
    THIRUVANTAHPURAM PPO NO KRTVM00084709 , PIN - 695017
54. GOPAKUMARAN NAIR C.S AGED 66 YEARS GOVARDHANAM, ERAPPUKZHI
    KUDAPPANAKUNNU P.O THIRUVANTAHPURAM PPO NO KRTVM 00084652 , PIN -
    695043
55. SUDEVAN S AGED 69 YEARS TC33/120 SHEELA BHAVAN KANNANTHURA, BEACH PO
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO 84491 , PIN - 695007
56. M.MOHANAN AGED 70 YEARS AMAL KALLIGAL, KULATHOOR P. O
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO 00085288 , PIN - 695583
57. S. NATARAJAN AGED 70 YEARS ARUN NIVAS, AZHANKAL JUNCTION KAIMANAM P.
    O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM 00084443 , PIN - 695040
58. K.KARUNAKARAN PILLAI AGED 79 YEARS TC 31/990 LEKSHMI VIHAR
    PALKULAGARA, PETTA P.O THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO85528 , PIN - 695022
59. K. MADUSOODANAN NAIR AGED 71 YEARS KRISHNA TC5/1790 TRRA 111
    PEROORKADA P.O PPO NO KRTVM 00084525 , PIN - 695005
60. SUKUMARAN .A AGED 75 YEARS PAVITHARAM HARITHA NAGAR WEST YAKKARA
    PALGHAT PPO NO KR KKD 0057248 , PIN - 678001
61. VARGHESE N. P AGED 70 YEARS MANGALATH NO 4 DURGA NAGAR , NCC ROAD
    PEROORKADA P O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM 00085527 , PIN -
    695005
 62. MADHU. D AGED 69 YEARS PUNARTHAM, TC 3/118(6), VYASANAGAR PATTOM PO,
    TRIVANDRUM PPO NO KR TVM 00086287, PIN - 695004
63. ANTONY .P AGED 74 YEARS THYVELAKAM HOUSE, TC 32/323/5 TTP P.O,
    KOCHUVELI, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM 00084718 , PIN - 695021
64. VINCENT.T AGED 71 YEARS TC 5/736 PRRA 72, PADMUVILKAM LANE,
    PEROORKADA P O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO 00088676, PIN - 695005
65. B VIKRAMAN NAIR AGED 69 YEARS TC 9/2750 CSM NAGER, EDPAZHINJI,
    SASTHAMANGALAM, TVPM PPO NO KRTVM 00084694, PIN - 695010
66. PONNAPPAN. V.N AGED 70 YEARS VALSA NMRA B166A NALIMUKKU,
    KUDAPPANAKUNNU P.O THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO 00084706, PIN - 695043
67. RAJASHEKARAN P AGED 70 YEARS SREEDEVI NIVAS TC 3/1234 LEKSHMI NAGAR
    L NE 33 PATTOM THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO KRTVM 00084666, PIN -
    695004
68. M. OUSEPH AGED 73 YEARS LINDAE , TC 33/293 (1), VETTUCAUD,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO 88312, PIN - 695021
69. T. MARCELINE AGED 77 YEARS TC 32/866, ANN HOUSE, VETTUCUD,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO 85013, PIN - 691021
70. INNOCENT GOMEZ AGED 68 YEARS AKSHYA, TC 32/429 NR. SHAMBUVATTOM LPS,
    VETTUCAUDU, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM , PPO NO:85530 , PIN - 695021
71. J. THOMAS SILVA AGED 69 YEARS ARJITHARAMAM, TC 32/335(1), 90/782(O)
    KOCHUVELI, KARIKKAKOM P O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO KR TVM
    00085543, PIN - 695021
72. CLEMENT R GOMEZ AGED 78 YEARS TC 87/101, SANCTA MARIYA GOLD LANE,
    RESIDARE 6(1) VALLACADVU PO , VALIYATHURA P.O . THIRUVANANTHAPURAM,
    PPO NO KR TVM 000 42543, PIN - 695008
73. K. MADHUSOODHANAN AGED 71 YEARS KS NIVAS, TC 31/722 MOONAMMANAKKAL,
    PETTA P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM , PPO NO KR TVM 00084608, PIN - 695204
74. K . RAJASHEKARAN NAIR AGED 70 YEARS RAJASREE , HOUSE NO 35 SUDANSAN
    NAGR, JAGTHI TYCADU PO , THIRUVANANTHAPURAM P .O PPO NO KR TVM
    00085325, PIN - 695014
75. A.JAYAKUMAR AGED 70 YEARS KAILAS, MUKKILKADA, CHEMPAZHAMTHY. P.O,
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO 00085435 , PIN - 695587
76. VISWANTAHAN N.K AGED 72 YEARS NADUPARAMPILL HOUSE, KALLARA SOUTH PO
    KALLARA, KOTTAYAM PPO NO 00043081 , PIN - 686611
77. KARUNAN T.K AGED 74 YEARS THIRUNELLOR HOUSE VILLOONNUI P. O
    ARPUKKARA, KOTTAYAM P.O PPO NO KRKTM 00043437 , PIN - 686008
78. PURUSHOTHAMAN AV AGED 66 YEARS ALAYIL HOUSE, VAIKKARA. P.O
    NADAVARAMBA, THRISSUR PPO NO KRKCH 00108709, PIN - 680661
79. F. SALUS AGED 68 YEARS VETTUKATTIL PP23/240, NEMOM POST
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO KR TVM 00084503, PIN - 695020
80. KRISHNAN NAIR AGED 69 YEARS SREEASAYAM OORUTTAMBALAM. P.O
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM PPO NO KR TVM 00086510, PIN - 695507
81. ABRAHAM THOMAS, AGED 69 YEARS T.C 79/1070, TEMPLE ROAD, KARIKKAKAM
    P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - , P.P.O.NO.KR/KCH/111698, PIN - 695007
82. M.M.JOSE, AGED 67 YEARS V.B.GARDEN, PLATE NO.D1 FORTH BLOCK,
    CHEMBUMUKKU, KAKKANAD WEST P.O, ERNAKULAM P.P.O.NO.113052 , PIN -
    682030
83. N.V.SUDHEER, AGED 67 YEARS NANNAPPILLY NIVAS, NEAR POLICE STATION,
    THEKKUMBHAGAM, TRIPUNITHURA, ERNAKULAM -, P.P.O.NO.116141. , PIN -
    682301
  84. ABDUL KAFOOR T.K AGED 68 YEARS THERUVIL (H), P.O KURUVILASEERY MALA,
     , THRISSUR, PPO NOKR KCH 00110551 , PIN - 680732
 85. ANTONY.T.M AGED 70 YEARS THYKOODATHIL TC VYLRA 116, VYLOPALLILANE
     PPO NO KR KCH 00110500, PIN - 682017
 86. JAMES V VELAKULAM AGED 71 YEARS VELAKALATHIL HOUSE WEST CHALAKUDY
     CHALAKUDY P. O THRISSUR, KERALA PPO NO KR KCH 00109826, PIN - 680307
 87. C.K.SIVAN AGED 71 YEARS SAMOOHUMPARAMB AZHIKKARA P.O PARAVOOR NORTH
     ERANAKULAM PPO NO KRKCH 00109988, PIN - 682018
 88. K.V. SASIKUMAR AGED 68 YEARS TC 50/656 VASANTHAM, DAS NAGAR AROMADA
     P.O PPO NO 00084505, PIN - 622018
 89. K.RAJENDRAN AGED 68 YEARS RESHMASREE KALATHUKAL, KARAKULAM PO PPO NO
     00084837 , PIN - 695564
 90. V.SASI AGED 72 YEARS HARITHALAYAM KULTHUKADU, KARAMANA PAPPANAMKODE
     P O TRIVANDRUM- PPO NO 00060471, PIN - 695018
 91. R.C SURESH BABU AGED 70 YEARS SREEMANGALAM, BNRA 57, DEVY NAGAR,
     VALIAVILA, THIRUMALA P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - . PPO NO KR TVM
     66616, PIN - 695016
 92. FRANCIS CLEMENT AGED 70 YEARS AJU NIVAS , TC 32/969(1) CONVENT ROAD,
     THIRUVANANTHAPURAM . PPO NO 84827, PIN - 695001
 93. S. SASIDHARAN AGED 70 YEARS NISHA BHAVAN VIVEK NAGAR, KARIMAM
     TRIVANDRUM- PPO NO KRTVM 00064365, PIN - 695002
 94. DEEPA JYOTHY K AGED 66 YEARS PUTHUVAL PUTHAN VEEDU KRISHNABHAVAN
     KARIKAKAM , TRIVANDRUM- PPO NO 00073960, PIN - 695007
 95. K. BHASHEER KHAN AGED 70 YEARS TC 48/1026, KANDVILAKATHUVEEDU, KRA
     163, POOUTHURA P.O TRIVANDRUM- PPO NO 00074698, PIN - 695026
 96. S. RAVENDRAN NAIR AGED 70 YEARS VAKKAYIL SITHARA, KATTACHIRA
     PALLICAL P. O, KAYAMKULAM PPO NO KR KCH 110495 , PIN - 696503
 97. DASAN . D AGE AGED 69 YEARS ARADHANA TC 48/1400, ARAMADA P O
     KUNNAPUZAM, TRIVANDRUM- PPO NO KR/TVM/00084504 , PIN - 695032
 98. D.VIJAYADAS AGED 70 YEARS PARADISE, UCHAKKADA KATTACHKUZHI P.O
     TRIVANDRUM - PPO NO 00086504 , PIN - 695501
 99. K.SASIDHARAN KANI AGED 70 YEARS NIKITHA BHAVAN PUNNAKADU, KILIYOOR
     MANNAMKONAM P. O PPO NO KR TVM 60977 , PIN - 695125
100. V.RAJEEVAN, AGED 72 YEARS TC 55/2306, RAJEEVAM, PAPPANAMCODE - .
     THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, P.P.O.NO.KRTVM00084449., PIN - 695018
101. GLODIS FERNADEZ AGED 71 YEARS TC 32/896 (5), VETTUKAD SHANKUMUGAM,
     TRIVANDRUM - PPO NO KRTVM 00084536, PIN - 695007
102. MAGLIN .A AGED 58 YEARS TC 32/857, BABY DALE VETTUCAUD, TRIVANDRUM-
     PPO NO KRTVM 84858 , PIN - 695021
103. TERESA ATLI AGED 66 YEARS SHINE VIEW, T/C 30/1494, PRWA - 44, PETTAH
     . P.O , TRIVANDRUM- PPO NO KRTVM 57533 , PIN - 695024

RESPONDENTS:

  1. UNION OF INDIA (UOI), REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT OF
     INDIA, MINISTRY OF LABOUR & DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT,   NEW DELHI,
     PIN - 110001
  2. REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND
     ORGANISATION (EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, PATTOM PALACE,
     THIRUVANANTHAPURAM., PIN - 695004
   3. REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER-1 (PENSION), EPFO HEAD OFFICE,
     MINISTRY OF LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, BHAVISHYA
     NITHI BHAVAN,   BHAVISHYA NITHI BHAVAN, 14- BHIKAJI CAMA PALACE, NEW
     DELHI, PIN - 110066
  4. THE MANAGING DIRECTOR, TRAVANCORE TITANIUM PRODUCTS LTD. TRAVANCORE
     TITANIUM PRODUCTS LTD. KOCHUVELI, TRIVANDRUM, PIN - 695021
  5. REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, EMPLOYEES
     PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION (EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, KALOOR,
     ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682017

     Writ petition (civil) praying inter alia that in the circumstances
stated in the affidavit filed along with the WP(C) the High Court be
pleased to stay ext.p11 and similar communications and issue a direction
to the second respondent to disburse monthly higher pension from january /
february 2023 onwards regularly every month, to all the petitioners
pending disposal of the writ petition.
     This petition again coming on for orders upon perusing the petition
and the affidavit filed in support of WP(C) and this court's order dated
23.03.2023 and upon hearing the arguments of M/S. P.N.MOHANAN, C.P.SABARI,
AMRUTHA SURESH & GILROY ROZARIO, Advocates for the petitioners, SHRI. NITA
N.S, Advocate for R2 and SHRI. LATHA ANAND, Advocate for R4, the court
passed the following:
                  ZIYAD RAHMAN A.A., J.
            ----------------------------
 W.P.(C) Nos.8979/2023, 16018/2020, 11737/2021,
    4958/2023, 5300/2023, 5442/2023, 5460/2023,
    5473/2023, 5503/2023, 5510/2023, 5513/2023,
    5790/2023, 5876/2023, 5987/2023, 6178/2023,
   6206/2023, 6260/2023, 6284/2023, 6292/2023,
    6499/2023, 6502/2023, 6681/2023, 6703/2023,
    6710/2023, 6723/2023, 6725/2023, 6731/2023,
    6740/2023, 6779/2023, 6811/2023, 6905/2023,
     6941/2023, 6990/2023, 7015/2023,7043/2023,
    7073/2023, 7105/2023, 7141/2023, 7261/2023,
    7547/2023, 7578/2023, 7614/2023, 7838/2023,
    7990/2023, 8412/2023, 8727/2023, 8777/2023,
    8990/2023, 9061/2023, 9177/2023, 9241/2023,
    9351/2023, 9358/2023, 9494/2023, 9614/2023,
  9659/2023, 9979/2023, 10175/2023, 10186/2023,
10219/2023, 10535/2023, 10650/2023, 10711/2023,
              11442/2023 & 11554/2023.
              ------------------------
       Dated this the 12th day of April, 2023


                           O R D E R

In all these cases, the issue involved is

pertaining to the legal entitlement of the

petitioners for higher pension, as per the

provisions of the Employees Provident Funds and

Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. These writ

petitions are already admitted.

2. As per the decision rendered by the

Honourable Supreme Court in EPF Organisation v.

Sunil Kumar [2022(7) KHC 12 (SC)], certain

directions were issued in this regard with respect

to the options to be submitted by the employees

concerned, to be eligible for the benefits of

higher pension under the Employees Pension Scheme,

1995. In para 44 (iv) of the said decision, the

following observations were issued by the

Honourable Supreme Court.

" 44 (iv) The members of the scheme, who did not exercise option, as contemplated in the proviso to paragraph 11(3) of the pension scheme (as it was before the 2014 Amendment) would be entitled to exercise option under paragraph 11(4) of the post amendment scheme. Their right to exercise option before 1st September 2014 stands crystallized in the judgment of this Court in the case of R.C. Gupta (supra). The scheme as it stood before 1st September 2014 did not provide for any cut-off date and thus those members shall be entitled to exercise option in terms of paragraph 11(4) of the scheme, as it stands at present. Their exercise of option shall be in the nature of joint options covering pre-amended paragraph 11(3) as also the amended paragraph 11(4) of the pension scheme."

3. The Honorable Supreme Court permitted the

employees who could not submit the options in the

light of para 11(3) of the pre-amendment scheme,

to submit fresh options within a period of four

months. Though the said period expired on

3.03.2023, the same was further extended for two

months i.e. up to 3.05.2023. The petitioners in

these cases are employees intending to submit

their options in the light of directions of the

Honourable Supreme Court.

4. The EPF organization made available to the

employees the facility to submit the options

through online mode by providing necessary links

for the same on their website. Ext P9 in

WP(C)8979/2023 is the option form the employee has

to fill up while submitting the option.

      5.    The          grievance              highlighted             by        the

petitioners           is    that         one        of    the   details      to   be

furnished in the said option form is the copy of

the permission under para 26(6) of the Employees

Provident Fund Scheme, 1952. According to the

petitioners, even though they were permitted to

pay the contribution based on the salary,

exceeding the ceiling limit prescribed (Rs 5,000/-

and Rs 6,500/-), as contemplated under para 26(6)

of the Scheme 1952, no formal option has been

submitted. According to them, submission of such

an option was never necessitated or insisted upon,

and instead, higher contributions were being

accepted all along by the EPFO. Therefore, they

are unable to fill up the said column in the

online option form, and the said form is

formulated in such a fashion that, unless the

details of the option under para 26 (6) of the

Scheme, 1952 are incorporated, they cannot

successfully submit the online options. If they

are not submitting their options on or before the

cut-off date, i.e. 3.05.2023, they will be

deprived of the benefits of the Scheme to which

they are legally entitled. In such circumstances,

the petitioners seek an interim order permitting

them to submit options without insisting on the

details/copies of the options submitted by them

under para 26(6) of the Scheme 1952.

6. The prayer for interim relief is stoutly

opposed by the respective Standing Counsels for

the EPFO. According to them, the option under para

26(6) is one of the crucial requirements for

availing the benefits, and therefore, it is

absolutely necessary for processing the options

submitted by the employees.

7. The learned counsels for the petitioners

would point out that higher contributions were

being accepted by the EPFO all along, even without

formal options from the employees and without any

insistence for submission of options as referred

to above. The petitioners relied on various

circulars issued by the EPFO to substantiate the

said contentions.

8. In circular bearing No:

Pension/Misc.2005/65836 dated 22.011.2006, it was

mentioned in para 4 (4) that, if the option was

not exercised at the time of salary crossing the

statutory limit or on 16.3.1996 as the case may be

and the contributions were deposited on salary

exceeding the limit after receiving instructions

from the Office before the date of issue of

circular dated 22.06.2004, the department has the

vicarious liability(restricted to specific cases

only)of honouring such a commitment and hence the

pensionable salary shall be on the actual salary,

i.e. on the salary (exceeding the statutory limit)

on which contribution paid. However, it is true

that, in para 4 (5) of the said Circular, it was

clarified that, in cases where no options were

given, or no commitment was made by the concerned

office, but the contribution on higher pay was

deposited by the establishment/employee on their

own, excess contributions will be considered as

erroneous contributions, and the pensionary salary

will be restricted to statutory ceiling existing

from time to time. But the fact remains that the

said Circular clearly indicates that certain

offices of the EPFO used to give instructions for

accepting the higher contributions, even without

options being actually submitted, and permitting

payment of higher contribution.

9. Besides the same, in Circular No Pen-

1/12/33/96/Amendment/Vol.IV/16762 dated 22.01.2019

(Ext P3 in WP(C) 8979/2023), it is mentioned as

follows: "However, if an employer and employee have contributed under the EPF Scheme, 1952 on wages higher than the statutory wage

limit, without joint option of employee & employer, and the EPF

Account of the concerned employee has been updated by the EPFO on

the basis of such contribution received, then by action of

employee, employer and EPFO, it can be inferred that joint option

of the employee and employee has been exercised and accepted by

EPFO........."

10. Of course, the said Circular has been

withdrawn as per Circular dated 7.02.2019, in the

light of the observations made by a Division Bench

judgment of this Court in WP(C)13120 of 2015.

However, the said Circular dated 22.01.2019

clearly conveys the manner in which the EPFO

treated the issue as regards the necessity of

submitting options under para 26(6) of the Scheme

1952, and it indicates that the submission of

options was never made mandatory.

11. In addition to the above, the petitioners

have also raised a contention that, in the

judgment passed by the Division Bench of this

Court, in Sasikumar P. and others v. Union of

India and others [ILR 2019 (1) Kerala 614], it was

clarified that, the employees shall be entitled to

exercise the option stipulated by paragraph 26 of

the EPF Scheme without being restricted in doing

so by the insistence on a date. Therefore, even if

the submission of an option is mandatory, it is

still open for the employees to submit the same

without any cut-off date. It was further contended

that, even though the said judgment was set aside

by the Honourable Supreme Court in Sunil Kumar's

case (supra), it would not affect the direction of

the Division Bench judgment of this court in

Sasikumar's case (supra), as there is no contrary

finding in the decision of the Honourable Supreme

Court, with regard to the option under para 26(6)

of the Scheme 1952. In my view, this is also a

matter to be considered at the time of the final

hearing.

12. Thus, when all the above aspects are

considered, it can be seen that, right from the

inception, higher contributions were being

accepted by the EPFO, even without submitting

options under para 26(6) of the Scheme 1952. It is

also evident that in some cases, instructions were

issued from some of the offices of EPFO to accept

the same, and in some cases, accounts of

respective employees were also updated in tune

with such higher contributions.

13. Further, the petitioners also have a

contention that, going by the language used in

para 26(6) of the Scheme, 1952, it could be

interpreted as an enabling provision, which

provides the power to the EPFO to accept higher

contributions in certain circumstances and the

same cannot be treated as a provision which makes

the submission of option mandatory. The exercise

of such options and their acceptance by the EPFO

can be inferred from the conduct of the employees,

employers and the EPFO, as mentioned in Circular

dated 22.01.2019. After considering the provisions

in this regard, I am of the view that this is also

a relevant aspect to be considered in detail.

14. Thus, when considering all the above

aspects, the only view that can possibly be taken

is that the petitioners have succeeded in

establishing a prima facie case, warranting an

interim order in the matter. It is to be noted

that the balance of convenience also favours the

petitioners. Evidently, the Honourable Supreme

Court fixed the cut-off date as 3.05.2023 for

submitting the options. Now on account of the

insistence from the EPFO to furnish the details of

the option under para 26(6)of the Scheme, 1952,

and also in view of the peculiar nature of the

online facility provided for such submissions,

they are now prevented from submitting the said

options. There cannot be any dispute that if they

were not permitted to submit their options before

the cut-off date, they would be deprived of their

opportunity to claim the benefits of the judgment

of the Honourable Supreme Court forever.

 WP(C) No. 8979/2023 & Con.cases         12

Therefore,          the      petitioners       deserve      an   interim

order       for       that        reason,i.e.       the     balance    of

convenience, as well.

15. The learned Standing Counsel for the EPFO

also raised a contention that some of the writ

petitions are submitted by the employees of the

exempted establishments, and they cannot be

granted the benefits. However, in para 38 of the

judgment in Sunil Kumar's case (supra), this

aspect was considered, and it was found that

employees of the exempted establishments should

not be deprived of the benefit of remaining in the

pension scheme while drawing salary beyond the

ceiling limit. Therefore the said contention of

the EPFO is also not prima facie sustainable.