Kerala High Court
James K.C vs Union Of India on 7 August, 2025
Author: K. Babu
Bench: K. Babu
2025:KER:60284
W.P (C) No.20463 of 2025
1
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K. BABU
THURSDAY, THE 7TH DAY OF AUGUST 2025 / 16TH SRAVANA, 1947
WP(C) NO. 20463 OF 2025
PETITIONERS:
1 JAMES K.C
AGED 57 YEARS
MANAGING DIRECTOR MILMA' - (MRCMPU LTD.) HEAD
OFFICE, PERINGOLAM,KUNNAMANGALAM (PO) KOZHIKODE,
KERALA. UAN.NO.1009 2026 9337, PIN - 673571
2 P.GOPALAKRISHNAN
AGED 57 YEARS
SR. MANAGER (DAIRY) HO(KCMMF), MILMA' - (MRCMPU
LTD.) HEAD OFFICE, PERINGOLAM,KUNNAMANGALAM (PO)
KOZHIKODE, KERALA UAN.NO.1001 5511 1781, PIN -
673571
3 VINOD KUMAR R.S
AGED 56 YEARS
SENIOR MANAGER (DAIRY) KKD DAIRY MILMA' - (MRCMPU
LTD.) - KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM,
KUNNAMANGALAM (PO),KOZHIKODE,
UAN.NO.1004 0877 0819,
PIN - 673571
4 NIRISH S.
AGED 53 YEARS
SENIOR MANAGER (PRODUCTION) PKD DAIRY MILMA' -
(MRCMPU LTD.) - PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO),
PALAKKAD, UAN.NO.1006 3054 3819,
PIN - 678005
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5 MATHEW VARGHESE
AGED 53 YEARS
MANAGER (DAIRY)KGD DAIRY MILMA' - (MRCMPU LTD.) -
KASARAGOD DAIRYANANDASRAMAM P.O, KANHANGAD,
KASARAGOD UAN.NO.1002 2408 4576, PIN - 671531
6 ROOPESH N.P.
AGED 47 YEARS
MANAGER (PROJECTS) HO MILMA' - (MRCMPU LTD.)
HEAD OFFICE, PERINGOLAM,KUNNAMANGALAM (PO)
KOZHIKODE, KERALA. UAN.NO.1000 6558 7015, PIN -
673571
7 JAYANARAYANAN V.P.
AGED 50 YEARS
MANAGER (FINANCE), HO MILMA' - (MRCMPU LTD.) HEAD
OFFICE, PERINGOLAM,KUNNAMANGALAM (PO) KOZHIKODE,
KERALA. UAN.NO.1001 7408 3295, PIN - 673571
8 SURESHKUMAR P.S.
AGED 49 YEARS
MANAGER (MIS&S), HO MILMA' - (MRCMPU LTD.) HEAD
OFFICE,PERINGOLAM,KUNNAMANGALAM (PO) KOZHIKODE,
KERALA UAN.NO.1003 7486 5770,
PIN - 673571
9 ANILKUMAR I.S.
AGED 50 YEARS
MANAGER (PRODUCTION) HO MILMA' - (MRCMPU LTD.)
HEAD OFFICE, PERINGOLAM,KUNNAMANGALAM (PO)
KOZHIKODE, KERALA.
UAN.NO.1000 8494 5046,
PIN - 673571
10 SANTHOSH P.R.
AGED 54 YEARS
MANAGER (MKTG) KKD DAIRY MILMA' - (MRCMPU LTD.) -
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM,
KUNNAMANGALAM (PO),KOZHIKODE,
UAN.NO.1003 3612 9024,
PIN - 673571
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11 SAJEESH M.
AGED 48 YEARS
MANAGER (MKTG) HO MILMA' - (MRCMPU LTD.) HEAD
OFFICE,PERINGOLAM,KUNNAMANGALAM (PO) KOZHIKODE,
KERALA. UAN.NO.1003 2815 8702, PIN - 673571
12 ARUN P.
AGED 43 YEARS
MANAGER (DAIRY) MPM DAIRY MILMA' - (MRCMPU LTD.)
-MALAPPURAM DAIRY AND MILK POWDER FACTORY,
MOORKANAD (PO), MALAPPURAM.
UAN.NO.1000 9108 7915, PIN - 679338
13 GEETHAKUMARI M.
AGED 55 YEARS
ASST. MANAGER (P&I) , HO, MILMA' - (MRCMPU LTD.)
HEAD OFFICE, PERINGOLAM,KUNNAMANGALAM (PO)
KOZHIKODE, KERALA. UAN.NO.1001 5275 1073,
PIN - 673571
14 PRADEEPAN P.P.
AGED 55 YEARS
MILK PROCUREMENT OFFICER, HO MILMA' - (MRCMPU
LTD.)HEAD OFFICE, PERINGOLAM,KUNNAMANGALAM (PO)
KOZHIKODE, KERALA. UAN.NO.1002 7467 0101,
PIN - 673571
15 CHILSU K,
AGED 52 YEARS,
ASST. MILK PROCUREMENT OFFICER HO MILMA' -
(MRCMPU LTD.) HEAD OFFICE,
PERINGOLAM,KUNNAMANGALAM (PO) KOZHIKODE, KERALA
UAN.NO.1001 2555 1499, PIN - 673571
16 ANILKUMAR V.K.
AGED 48 YEARS
MILK PROCUREMENT OFFICER HO MILMA' - (MRCMPU
LTD.) HEAD OFFICE, PERINGOLAM,
KUNNAMANGALAM (PO) KOZHIKODE, KERALA
UAN.NO.1000 8498 0218,
PIN - 673571
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17 OORMILAKUMARI
AGED 56 YEARS
MILK PROCUREMENT OFFICER HO MILMA' - (MRCMPU
LTD.) HEAD OFFICE, PERINGOLAM,KUNNAMANGALAM (PO)
KOZHIKODE, KERALA UAN.NO.1002 6135 2198, PIN -
673571
18 SHEEJA ELIAS
AGED 48 YEARS
MILK PROCUREMENT OFFICER HO MILMA' - (MRCMPU
LTD.) HEAD OFFICE, PERINGOLAM,KUNNAMANGALAM (PO)
KOZHIKODE, KERALA. UAN.NO.1003 4958 6024,
PIN - 673571
19 NARAYANKUTTY M.
AGED 56 YEARS
MILK PROCUREMENT OFFICER HO MILMA' - (MRCMPU
LTD.) HEAD OFFICE, PERINGOLAM,
KUNNAMANGALAM (PO) KOZHIKODE, KERALA.
UAN.NO.1002 5047 0812, PIN - 673571
20 BIJUMON K. SKARIA
AGED 58 YEARS
ASSISTANT MANAGER HO, MILMA' - (MRCMPU LTD.) HEAD
OFFICE, PERINGOLAM,KUNNAMANGALAM (PO) KOZHIKODE,
KERALA. UAN.NO.1001 1437 2779, PIN - 673571
21 SHAJI V.
AGED 52 YEARS
MILK PROCUREMENT OFFICER HO MILMA' - (MRCMPU
LTD.) HEAD OFFICE, PERINGOLAM,KUNNAMANGALAM (PO)
KOZHIKODE, KERALA UAN.NO.1003 4632 3585,
PIN - 673571
22 SURESH V.P.
AGED 42 YEARS
ASST. MANAGER (FINANCE) KKD DAIRY MILMA' -
(MRCMPU LTD.) - KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM,
KUNNAMANGALAM (PO), KOZHIKODE,
UAN.NO.1003 7468 0186,
PIN - 673571
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23 RAJEESH R.K.
AGED 55 YEARS
ASST.MANAGER (ENGG.) PKD DAIRY MILMA' - (MRCMPU
LTD.) - PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO),
PALAKKAD, UAN.NO.1009 1843 3457, PIN - 678005
24 VIJAYAN K.
AGED 56 YEARS
DAIRY ENGINEER KKD DAIRY MILMA' - (MRCMPU LTD.) -
KOZHIKODE DAIRY,PERINGOLAM, KUNNAMANGALAM (PO),
KOZHIKODE, UAN.NO.1008 8916 2770, PIN - 673571
25 SAPHIA P.
AGED 54 YEARS
JUNIOR SYSTEMS OFFICER HO MILMA' - (MRCMPU LTD.)
HEAD OFFICE, PERINGOLAM, KUNNAMANGALAM (PO)
KOZHIKODE, KERALA. UAN.NO.1003 3790 0091,
PIN - 673571
26 AJITH T. JOHN
AGED 53 YEARS
ASST. MARKETING OFFICER KKD DAIRY MILMA' -
(MRCMPU LTD.) - KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM,
KUNNAMANGALAM (PO), KOZHIKODE,
UAN.NO.1008 9592 6206, PIN - 673571
27 SANDEEP M.
AGED 49 YEARS
SYSTEMS SUPERVISOR HO MILMA' - (MRCMPU LTD.) HEAD
OFFICE, PERINGOLAM, KUNNAMANGALAM (PO) KOZHIKODE,
KERALA UAN.NO.1003 3112 5806, PIN - 673571
28 SREEJA E.V.
AGED 58 YEARS
JUNIOR SUPERINTENDENT HO MILMA' - (MRCMPU LTD.)
HEAD OFFICE, PERINGOLAM,
KUNNAMANGALAM (PO) KOZHIKODE,
KERALA,
UAN.NO.1003 6149 2148,
PIN - 673571
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29 MANI K
AGED 55 YEARS
SENIOR GRADE OFFICE ATTENDER HO, MILMA' - (MRCMPU
LTD.) HEAD OFFICE, PERINGOLAM, KUNNAMANGALAM (PO)
KOZHIKODE, KERALA UAN.NO.1002 1822 3723,
PIN - 673571
30 DINESH KUMAR E.P
AGED 56 YEARS
SPECIAL GRADE OFFICE ATTENDER HO, MILMA' -
(MRCMPU LTD.) HEAD OFFICE, PERINGOLAM,
KUNNAMANGALAM (PO) KOZHIKODE, KERALA,
UAN.NO.1001 3913 8864, PIN - 673571
31 LIJIKA P
AGED 43 YEARS
JUNIOR SUPERINTENDENT HO, MILMA' - (MRCMPU LTD.)
HEAD OFFICE, PERINGOLAM, KUNNAMANGALAM (PO)
KOZHIKODE, KERALA
UAN.NO.1002 0588 1268, PIN - 673571
32 SHEEJA T.D
AGED 50 YEARS
JUNIOR SUPERINTENDENT (HG) HO, MILMA' - (MRCMPU
LTD.) HEAD OFFICE, PERINGOLAM, KUNNAMANGALAM (PO)
KOZHIKODE, KERALA UAN.NO.1003 4959 9827,
PIN - 673571
33 SUDHEESH KUMAR K
AGED 50 YEARS
TECHNICIAN KOZHIKODE DAIRY MRCMPU LTD, MILMA,
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, KUNNAMANGALAM, UAN.NO.1003 6587
5768, PIN - 673571
34 BALAKRISHNAN V
AGED 57 YEARS
TECHNICIAN KOZHIKODE DAIRY MRCMPU LTD, MILMA,
KOZHIKODE DAIRY,
KUNNAMANGALAM,
UAN.NO.1001 0602 8754,
PIN - 673571
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35 NARAYANAN UNNI P
AGED 57 YEARS
TECHNICIAN KOZHIKODE DAIRY MRCMPU LTD, MILMA,
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, KUNNAMANGALAM,
UAN.NO.1002 5048 3310, PIN - 673571
36 ANIL KUMAR N
AGED 47 YEARS
TECHNICIAN, KOZHIKODE DAIRY MRCMPU LTD, MILMA,
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, KUNNAMANGALAM,
UAN.NO.1000 8495 7381, PIN - 673571
37 ABDOL GAFOOR N V
AGED 54 YEARS
DRIVER, KOZHIKODE DAIRY MRCMPU LTD, MILMA,
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, KUNNAMANGALAM, UAN.NO.1000 7191
2706, PIN - 673571
38 VINODAN PK
AGED 56 YEARS
TECHNICIAN KOZHIKODE DAIRY MRCMPU LTD, MILMA,
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, KUNNAMANGALAM,
UAN.NO.1004 0869 5042, PIN - 673571
39 LATHISH K
AGED 49 YEARS
TECHINICIAN KOZHIKODE DAIRY MRCMPU LTD, MILMA,
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, KUNNAMANGALAM,
UAN.NO.1002 0442 0428, PIN - 673571
40 SURESH M K
AGED 49 YEARS
TECHINICIAN KOZHIKODE DAIRY MRCMPU LTD, MILMA,
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, KUNNAMANGALAM,
UAN.NO.1003 7427 9725, PIN - 673571
41 SHAJU U N
AGED 55 YEARS
TECHINICIAN KOZHIKODE DAIRY MRCMPU LTD, MILMA,
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, KUNNAMANGALAM,
UAN.NO.1003 4634 5472, PIN - 673571
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42 LINEESH E.P
AGED 43 YEARS
HRD OFFICER HO MILMA' - (MRCMPU LTD.) HEAD
OFFICE, PERINGOLAM, KUNNAMANGALAM (PO) KOZHIKODE,
KERALA STATE,UAN.NO.1002 0604 1305, PIN - 673571
43 MUHAMMED SAIFI A
AGED 50 YEARS
ASSISTANT FINANCE OFFICER KGD DAIRY MILMA,MRCMPU
LTD.,KASARAGOD DAIRY,
ANANDASHRAM(PO),KANHANGAD,KASARAGOD
UAN.NO.10022 935 3563, PIN - 671531
44 ADITHYAN S
AGED 40 YEARS
DEPUTY ENGINEERCFP, PATTANAKKAD CATTLE FEED
PLANT, PATTANAKKAD, CHERTHALA, ALAPUZHA
UAN.NO.1000 5365 3384, PIN - 688531
45 BALASUBRAMANIAN P.V
AGED 55 YEARS
UNIT HEAD CFP, PATTANAKKAD CATTLE FEED PLANT,
PATTANAKKAD, CHERTHALA, ALAPUZHA,
UAN.NO.1004 6323 7647, PIN - 688531
46 VENUNATH R,
AGED 53 YEARS
ASST. MANAGER (P&M) CFP, PATTANAKKAD CATTLE FEED
PLANT, PATTANAKKAD, CHERTHALA, ALAPUZHA
UAN.NO.1004 0279 8002, PIN - 688531
47 MURUKAN V S, AGED 56 YEARS
MANAGER,KCMMF H O KERALA CO OPERATIVE MILK
MARKETING FEDERATION LTD,MILMA BHAVAN,PATTOM P O,
THIRUVANTHAPURAM, KERALA UAN.NO.1002 3943 6535,
PIN - 695004
48 PREMAKUMARAN. N, AGED 58 YEARS
SSW GR1,CATTLE FEED PLANT MALAMPUZHA KCMMF LTD,
MILMA CATTLE FEED PLANT, MALAMPUZHA, PALAKKAD.
UAN.NO.1002 8071 4624, PIN - 678651
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49 ARUN .V.U
AGED 43 YEARS
STORE ATTENDER GR1 CATTLE FEED PLANT MALAMPUZHA
KCMMF LTD, MILMA CATTLE FEED PLANT,MALAMPUZHA,
PALAKKAD. UAN.NO.1000 9109 1074, PIN - 678651
50 GOPALAKRISHNAN A
AGED 48 YEARS
STORE ATTENDER SPL GR CATTLE FEED PLANT
MALAMPUZHA KCMMF LTD, MILMA CATTLE FEED PLANT,
MALAMPUZHA, PALAKKAD. UAN.NO.1001 5509 0036,
PIN - 678651
51 JAFFER SADIQUE.A
AGED 48 YEARS
STORE ATTENDER GR1 CATTLE FEED PLANT MALAMPUZHA
KCMMF LTD, MILMA CATTLE FEED PLANT, MALAMPUZHA,
PALAKKAD UAN.NO.1001 6978 6776, PIN - 678651
52 SUDHEESH P.S
AGED 45 YEARS
STORE ATTENDER SR GR CATTLE FEED PLANT MALAMPUZHA
KCMMF LTD, MILMA CATTLE FEED PLANT, MALAMPUZHA,
PALAKKAD UAN.NO.1003 6532 4362, PIN - 678651
53 HARIHARAN.K
AGED 55 YEARS
PLANT OPERATOR CATTLE FEED PLANT MALAMPUZHA KCMMF
LTD, MILMA CATTLE FEED PLANT, MALAMPUZHA,
PALAKKAD. UAN.NO.1001 6173 7747, PIN - 678651
54 MANOHARAN C
AGED 57 YEARS
PLANT OPERATOR CATTLE FEED PLANT MALAMPUZHA KCMMF
LTD, MILMA CATTLE FEED PLANT, MALAMPUZHA,
PALAKKAD UAN.NO.1002 2096 9389, PIN - 678651
55 MANIKANDAN K
AGED 55 YEARS
PLANT OPERATOR CATTLE FEED PLANT MALAMPUZHA KCMMF
LTD, MILMA CATTLE FEED PLANT, MALAMPUZHA,
PALAKKAD. UAN.NO.1002 1863 1561, PIN - 678651
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56 MANOJ K M
AGED 47 YEARS
PLANT OPERATOR CATTLE FEED PLANT MALAMPUZHA KCMMF
LTD, MILMA CATTLE FEED PLANT, MALAMPUZHA,
PALAKKAD. UAN.NO.1002 2234 7639, PIN - 678651
57 NARAYANAN T
AGED 57 YEARS
PLANT ASSISTANT, CATTLE FEED PLANT MALAMPUZHA
KCMMF LTD, MILMA CATTLE FEED PLANT, MALAMPUZHA,
PALAKKAD. UAN.NO.1002 5048 5582, PIN - 678651
58 P.KALADHARAN
AGED 54 YEARS
PLANT ASSISTANT GR1, CATTLE FEED PLANT MALAMPUZHA
KCMMF LTD, MILMA CATTLE FEED PLANT, MALAMPUZHA,
PALAKKAD. UAN.NO.1001 8579 7094, PIN - 678651
59 UNNI KRISHNAN P B
AGED 58 YEARS
PLANT ASSISTANT GR2 HG CATTLE FEED PLANT
MALAMPUZHA KCMMF LTD, MILMA CATTLE FEED PLANT,
MALAMPUZHA, PALAKKAD. UAN.NO.1003 9575 0129,
PIN - 678651
60 PRASANNA.S
AGED 57 YEARS
OFFICE ATTENDER, CATTLE FEED PLANT MALAMPUZHA
KCMMF LTD, MILMA CATTLE FEED PLANT, MALAMPUZHA,
PALAKKAD. UAN.NO.1002 7763 3091, PIN - 678651
61 RAJAKUMARI D
AGED 56 YEARS
LAB ATTENDER SPL GR, CATTLE FEED PLANT MALAMPUZHA
KCMMF LTD, MILMA CATTLE FEED PLANT, MALAMPUZHA,
PALAKKAD. UAN.NO.1002 9295 6476, PIN - 678651
62 SUMA.K,
AGED 48 YEARS
STORE ATTENDER GR2 CATTLE FEED PLANT MALAMPUZHA
KCMMF LTD, MILMA CATTLE FEED PLANT, MALAMPUZHA,
PALAKKAD. UAN.NO.1003 6827 9330, PIN - 678651
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63 SREEKUMAR T
AGED 55 YEARS
MANAGER, CATTLE FEED PLANT MALAMPUZHA KCMMF LTD,
MILMA CATTLE FEED PLANT, MALAMPUZHA, PALAKKAD.
UAN.NO.1003 6161 5140, PIN - 678651
BY ADVS.
SHRI.P.N.MOHANAN
SRI.C.P.SABARI
SMT.AMRUTHA SURESH
SHRI.GILROY ROZARIO
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
REGIONAL OFFICE, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND
ORGANISATION (EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN,
ERANJIPALAM , KOZHIKODE, PIN - 673006
3 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER,
EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION (EPFO),
BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN, PATTOM PALACE,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM., PIN - 695004
4 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER
SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND
ORGANISATION (EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN,
KALOOR, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 682017
5 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER-1
(PENSION),EPFO HEAD OFFICE, MINISTRY OF LABOUR
AND EMPLOYMENT, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, BHAVISHYA
NITHI BHAVAN, 14- BHIKAJI CAMA PALACE, NEW DELHI,
PIN - 110066
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6 MALABAR REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS
UNION LTD
REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR,
PERINGALAM P.O, KUNNAMANGALAM,
KOZHIKODE, PIN - 673571
7 KERALA CO-OPERATIVE MILK MARKETING FEDERATION LTD
REPRESENTED BY MANAGING DIRECTOR, MILMA BHAVAN,
PATTOM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN - 695004
BY ADVS.
SHRI.K.K.SETHUKUMAR, CGC
SMT.NITA.N.S., SC EPFO
SMT.LATHA ANAND
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD
ON 07.08.2025, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE
FOLLOWING:
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K.BABU, J.
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W.P (C) No.20463 of 2025
---------------------------------------
Dated this the 7th day of August, 2025
JUDGMENT
The prayers in this Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India are as follows:
"i. Call for the records leading to issue Ext.P13 & P14 and similar orders issued to other petitioners and quash the same by issuing a writ of certiorari or any other appropriate writ order or direction. ii. declare that the joint option submitted by all the petitioners as shown in the table above are to be accepted by the second and third respondents for claiming higher pension on the basis of the contribution towards the provident fund on actual salary, at the time of retirement.
iii. declare that since issuing Ext.P7 order in the light of Ext.P1 Judgment to collect the contribution for the period from 2/2004 to 9/2006, as evidenced by Ext.P8 to P11, which attained finality inter parties cannot reopen under para 44 (iv) of the Sunil Kumar Judgment, in the light of Ext.P15 Judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court.
iv. Declare that joint option of the petitioners are to be accepted by the respondents 2 and 3 for higher pension at the time of retirement. . v. declare that Ext.P16 and P17 Judgments are covered in favour of the petitioners and it hit by principles of issue estoppel.
vi. Grant such other relief as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit and proper in the circumstances of the case."
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2. Heard the learned counsel for the petitioners, the learned Central Government Counsel, the learned Standing Counsel for EPFO and the learned Standing counsel for respondent Nos.6 and 7.
3. The petitioners are the retired employees of the Malabar Regional Co-operative Milk Producers Union (respondent No.6) and Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd,. (respondent No.7). While in service, the petitioners were enrolled in contributory Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 1952. It is submitted that the petitioners made contributions to the scheme based on the actual salary drawn since entering the service till retirement, except for the following periods:
"1. Contributory period from April 2004 to October 2006 and
2. Contributory period from October 2007 to February 2008."
4. It is submitted that during the above period, contributions were made to the Provident Fund Scheme limiting to statutory limit of Rs.5,000/- or Rs.6,500/- as the case may be. It is further submitted that the management was permitted to contribute to the 2025:KER:60284 W.P (C) No.20463 of 2025 15 Provident Fund based on the actual salary for the above period, with arrears and interest accrued to the Employees Provident Fund Authorities.
5. The claims for higher pension based on actual salary made by the employees were rejected as per Exts.P13 and P14 orders on the ground that the employees and the employer had not contributed on the actual wages under paragraph 26 (6) of the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 1952 on salary exceeding the statutory ceiling limit.
6. The learned counsel for the petitioners submitted that payment was later made in lump by Exts.P8, P9, P10 and P11, and therefore, there was compliance of paragraph 26 (6) of the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, 1952.
7. The only contention raised by the respondents is that the amount received was not appropriated to the respective months, and therefore, the petitioners are not eligible for higher pension.
8. Admittedly, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation has received the contribution from both the employees and 2025:KER:60284 W.P (C) No.20463 of 2025 16 employer under paragraph 26 (6) of the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme for the period from April 2004 to October 2006 and October 2007 to February 2008. The statements showing month- wise break-up of the lump sum remittance for the said period is also placed on record. Admittedly, the administrative charges were also paid as provided in paragraph 26 (6) of the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme.
9. In W.P.(C) No.40261/2024, while dealing with a similar factual situation, this Court held that the employees and employer having complied with the requirements under paragraph 26 (6) of the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme and the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation accepted the contribution, they cannot deny the employees the benefit of higher pension.
10. Following the principles enunciated by this Court and the further fact that the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation accepted the contributions as provided in paragraph 26 (6) of the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme, Exts.P13 and P14 orders are set aside. It is declared that the petitioners are entitled to get 2025:KER:60284 W.P (C) No.20463 of 2025 17 higher pension on the actual wages.
11. Respondent Nos.2, 3 and 4 are directed to take consequential steps to disburse higher pension to the petitioners based on the split-up data submitted by the employer (respondent No.4), within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment.
The Writ Petition is disposed of as above.
Sd/-
K.BABU, JUDGE KAS 2025:KER:60284 W.P (C) No.20463 of 2025 18 APPENDIX OF WP(C) 20463/2025 PETITIONER EXHIBITS Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 30.10.2014 IN W.P.(C).NO. 23447/2014 Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 31.03.2016 IN IN SLP NO.7074/2014 Exhibit P3 TRUE COPY OF THE AMENDED NOTIFICATION HAVING NO.GSR 609 (E) DATED 22.08.2014 Exhibit P4 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 04.10.2016 IN R.C.GUPTA VS. REGIONAL PF COMMISSIONER AS REPORTED IN 2018 (14) SCC 809 Exhibit P5 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 04.11.2022 IN EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANIZATION AND ANOTHER V. SUNIL KUMAR B AND OTHERS REPORTED IN 2022 (7) KHC 12 (SC) Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED 09.03.2004 IN W.A.NO.1591/ 2003 Exhibit P7 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 06.02.2017 OF THE SECOND RESPONDENT Exhibit P8 TRUE COPY OF THE CHALAN DATED 17.11.2006 ALONG WITH LETTER DATED 25.11.2006 ADDRESSED TO THE SECOND RESPONDENT BY THE SIXTH RESPONDENT Exhibit P9 TRUE COPY OF THE CHALAN DATED 10.03.2008 ALONG WITH THE COVERING LETTER 13.03.2008 OF THE SIXTH RESPONDENT Exhibit P10 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 22.12.2006 ADDRESSED TO THE THIRD RESPONDENT BY THE SEVENTH RESPONDENT ALONG WITH THE CHALAN FOR RS.40,03,150/- DATED 16.11.2006 Exhibit P11 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 31.03.2008 OF THE SEVENTH RESPONDENT ADDRESSED TO THE THIRD RESPONDENT ALONG WITH THE CHALAN FOR RS.13,12,563/-
2025:KER:60284 W.P (C) No.20463 of 2025 19 DATED 26.03.2008 Exhibit P12 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 30.06.2016 OF THE SECOND RESPONDENT Exhibit P13 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 16.04.2025 OF THE SECOND RESPONDENT IN RESPECT OF THE EIGHTH PETITIONER Exhibit P14 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 10.01.2025 OF THE THIRD RESPONDENT IN RESPECT OF THE 45TH PETITIONER Exhibit P15 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT IN THE CASE OF UNION OF INDIA V. CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL REPORTED IN 2002 KHC 175 Exhibit P16 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 10.12.2024 IN W.P.(C).NO.15353/2024 Exhibit P17 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 24.02.2025, IN W.P.(C).NO.1932/2025 Exhibit P18 TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED 12.12.2024 IN W.P.(C).NO.40261/2024 Exhibit P19 TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED 02.05.2025 IN W.P.(C). NO.17368/2025 Exhibit P20 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 23.05.2025 OF THE CENTRAL PF COMMISSIONER Exhibit P21 TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED 23.05.2025 IN W.P.(C).NO.19128/2025