Kerala High Court
Saludheen .A vs Union Of India on 27 November, 2025
2025:KER:91769
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE GOPINATH P.
THURSDAY, THE 27TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2025 / 6TH AGRAHAYANA,
1947
WP(C) NO. 25104 OF 2025
PETITIONERS:
1 SALUDHEEN .A
AGED 55 YEARS
SR GR PLANT ASSISTANT MILMA, PALAKKAD DAIRY
(MRCMPU) KALLEPULLY P O, PALAKKAD
UAN NO: 1003 2908 6145,
PIN - 678 005.
2 MANOJKUMAR. M. S
AGED 45 YEARS
SPL GR TECHNICIAN (HR) MILMA, PALAKKAD DAIRY
(MRCMPU) KALLEPULLY P O, PALAKKAD.
UAN NO:1002 2239 9040,
PIN - 678 005.
3 SKARIA. P. P
AGED 48 YEARS
TECHNICIAN GR I HG MILMA, PALAKKAD DAIRY (MRCMPU)
KALLEPULLY P O, PALAKKAD.
UAN NO:1003 5820 3574,
PIN - 678 005.
4 MANI. K
AGED 56 YEARS
OPERATOR GR I MILMA, PALAKKAD DAIRY (MRCMPU)
KALLEPULLY P O, PALAKKAD.
UAN NO:1002 1830 2011,
PIN - 678 005.
5 SIVAKUMAR. M
AGED 47 YEARS
SR GR PLANT ASSISTANT MILMA, PALAKKAD DAIRY
(MRCMPU) KALLEPULLY P O, PALAKKAD.
UAN NO:1003 5742 8499,
PIN - 678 005.
2025:KER:91769
WP(C) NO. 25104 OF 2025
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6 BENNY. M. D
AGED 55 YEARS
SR GR PLANT ASSISTANT MILMA,
PALAKKAD DAIRY (MRCMPU) KALLEPULLY P O, PALAKKAD.
UAN NO:1001 0942 8524,
PIN - 678 005.
7 UDHAYAPRAKASH. K
AGED 54 YEARS
SR GR PLANT ASSISTANT MILMA,
PALAKKAD DAIRY (MRCMPU) KALLEPULLY P O, PALAKKAD.
UAN NO:1003 9425 5734,
PIN - 678 005.
8 VISWANATHAN. P
AGED 53 YEARS
LAB TECHNICIAN GR II MILMA,
PALAKKAD DAIRY (MRCMPU) KALLEPULLY P O, PALAKKAD.
UAN NO:1004 1080 1217, PIN - 678 005.
9 MURALIKRISHNAN. C
AGED 47 YEARS
SPL GR TECHNICIAN MILMA, PALAKKAD DAIRY (MRCMPU)
KALLEPULLY P O, PALAKKAD.
UAN NO:1002 3898 0350, PIN - 678 005.
0 KRISHNANKUTTY. K. V
AGED 50 YEARS
LAB TECHNICIAN GR II MILMA, PALAKKAD DAIRY
(MRCMPU) KALLEPULLY P O, PALAKKAD.
UAN NO:1001 9692 8965, PIN - 678 005.
11 RESMI. T. R
AGED 45 YEARS
TECHNICIAN GR I MILMA, PALAKKAD DAIRY (MRCMPU)
KALLEPULLY P O, PALAKKAD.
UAN NO:1003 0889 1597,
PIN - 678 005.
12 ABDURAOOF. P
AGED 57 YEARS
LAB TECHNICIAN GR I HG II MILMA,
PALAKKAD DAIRY (MRCMPU) KALLEPULLY P O, PALAKKAD.
UAN NO:1000 7184 3803,
PIN - 678 005.
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WP(C) NO. 25104 OF 2025
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13 VINOD. S
AGED 49 YEARS
SPL GR TECHNICIAN MILMA, PALAKKAD DAIRY (MRCMPU)
KALLEPULLY P O, PALAKKAD.
UAN NO:1004 0852 2367., PIN - 678 005.
14 MANOJ KUMAR.K.K
AGED 49 YEARS
ASSISTANT ENGINEER, MILMA (MRCMPU LTD) WAYANAD
DAIRY, CHUZHALI, KALPETTA P.O.,
UAN NO.1002 2171 6124., PIN - 673 121.
15 RAVISANKAR.V
AGED 57 YEARS
JUNIOR SUPDT. (HG),MILMA (MRCMPU LTD),
PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO)
UAN: 1003 1164 5619, PIN - 678 005.
16 KANNAN K.
AGED 55 YEARS
UAN:1001 8906 7290
SR. MARKETING ASST.,MILMA (MRCMPU LTD),
PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO), PIN - 678 005.
17 SIVADAS.K.K
AGED 53 YEARS
UAN:1003 5733 8913
SR. GR.PLANT ASSISTANT HG, MILMA (MRCMPU LTD),
PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO), PIN - 678 005.
18 MURUKAN.K
AGED 52 YEARS
UAN:1002 3943 6416
SPL. GR. MARKETING ASST., MILMA (MRCMPU LTD),
PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO), PIN - 678 005.
19 SABARI.C
AGED 51 YEARS
UAN:1003 2532 4020
OPERATOR GR.I, MILMA (MRCMPU LTD),
PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO), PIN - 678 005.
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WP(C) NO. 25104 OF 2025
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0 SREEJA C.
AGED 42 YEARS
UAN:1003 6149 1519
SR. GR.PLANT ASSISTANT, MILMA (MRCMPU LTD),
PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO), PIN - 678 005.
21 SATHYAN P
AGED 50 YEARS
UAN:1003 4079 3975
OPERATOR GR.II, MILMA (MRCMPU LTD),
PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO), PIN - 678 005.
22 SAJI K GEORGE
AGED 52 YEARS
UAN:1003 2820 4261
MARKETING ASSISTANT, MILMA (MRCMPU LTD),
PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO), PIN - 678 005.
23 RADHAKRISHNAN S
AGED 40 YEARS
UAN:1002 8968 4441
LAB TECHNICIAN GR. II, MILMA (MRCMPU LTD),
PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO), PIN - 678 005.
24 SIVADASAN K
AGED 50 YEARS
UAN:1003 5734 1294
LAB TECHNICIAN GR.II,MILMA (MRCMPU LTD),
PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO), PIN - 678 005.
25 SURESH BABU M.
AGED 50 YEARS
UAN:1003 73639 586
LAB TECHNICIAN GR. II, MILMA (MRCMPU LTD),
PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO), PIN - 678 005.
26 BABU A
AGED 48 YEARS
UAN:1001 0436 3093
SR. MARKETING ASST., MILMA (MRCMPU LTD),
PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO), PIN - 678 005.
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WP(C) NO. 25104 OF 2025
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27 UDAYAKUMAR S.
AGED 54 YEARS
UAN:1003 9424 1863
SPL. GR. TECHNCICIANS HG, MILMA (MRCMPU LTD),
PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO), PIN - 678 005.
28 SUNDARAN K.K
AGED 55 YEARS
UAN:1003 6958 4853
SR. MARKETING ASST., MILMA (MRCMPU LTD),
PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO), PIN - 678 005.
29 DEVADAS C
AGED 56 YEARS
UAN:1001 3363 5295
OPERATOR GR.II, MILMA (MRCMPU LTD),
PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO), PIN - 678 005.
0 SIVADASAN A
AGED 55 YEARS
UAN:1003 5734 0482
SR. GR.PLANT ASSISTANT, MILMA (MRCMPU LTD),
PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO), PIN - 678 005.
31 MANIKANDAN P
AGED 51 YEARS
UAN:1002 1853 8040
SR. GR.PLANT ASSISTANT, MILMA (MRCMPU LTD),
PALAKKAD DAIRY, KALLEPPULLY (PO), PIN - 678 005.
BY ADVS.
SRI.P.N.MOHANAN
SRI.C.P.SABARI
SMT.AMRUTHA SURESH
SRI.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 - 110 001.
2025:KER:91769
WP(C) NO. 25104 OF 2025
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2 REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER
REGIONAL OFFICE, EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND
ORGANISATION (EPFO), BHAVISHANIDHI BHAVAN,
ERANJIPALAM, KOZHIKODE, PIN - 673 006.
3 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 - 110 066.
4 MALABAR REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS
UNION LTD, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR,
PERINGALAM P.O, KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE,
PIN - 673 571.
BY ADVS.
SRI.RAHUL VENUGOPAL, CGC (FOR R1)
SMT.NITA.N.S. (SC) (FOR R2 & R3)
SMT. LATHA ANAND (SC) (FOR R4)
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD
ON 27.11.2025, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE
FOLLOWING:
2025:KER:91769
WP(C) NO. 25104 OF 2025
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JUDGMENT
This writ petition has been filed by certain serving employees of the Malabar Regional Co-operative Milk Producers Union Ltd [hereinafter referred to as 'the MRCMPU'], seeking to set aside the orders rejecting their option for making contributions on actual salary for the purpose of availing higher pension on retirement.
2. Learned counsel appearing for the respondent Employees Provident Fund Organization would submit that in order to calculate the entitlement of the petitioners for higher pension, the details of bulk payment made by the MRCMPU, amounting to Rs.14,11,792/- [for the period from 04/2004 to 09/2006 and 09/2007 to 01/2008] have to be made available. It is submitted that the bulk payment was made on 18.11.2006 and 12.03.2008. It is submitted that, unless the month-wise details of the payment which will identify the member in whose favour the payment is 2025:KER:91769 WP(C) NO. 25104 OF 2025 8 made, the month and year to which payment relates, the employer contribution and the employee contribution and the contribution to the pension scheme, it will be impossible for the Provident Fund Organization to calculate the entitlement of the individual petitioners. It is also submitted that the salary details of the petitioners have also to be produced.
3. Having heard the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners in this writ petition and the learned counsel appearing for the Employees Provident Fund Organization, I am of the opinion that the learned counsel appearing for the Employees Provident Fund Organization is right in contending that unless the details mentioned above are made available by the MRCMPU, it might not be possible for the Provident Fund Organization to calculate the benefits payable to each of the individual petitioners or others, who may not have approached this Court. The MRCMPU had made the payment in bulk on account of the fact that for the period from 04/2004 to 09/2006 and 2025:KER:91769 WP(C) NO. 25104 OF 2025 9 09/2007 to 01/2008, the contribution was not made on the basis of actual salary and was made on a lesser amount and was subject to statutory limits.
4. Therefore, the writ petition will stand disposed of, directing the Managing Director, Malabar Regional Co-operative Milk Producers Union to provide the following details to the Provident Fund Organization within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment :-
i. The month-wise break up of the bulk amount; ii. The identity of the member and the month and year to which the payment relates; iii. The amount representing the employer contribution and the employee contribution of each of the persons concerned;
iv. The amount of contribution to the pension Scheme; and v. Salary details of the individuals concerned.
2025:KER:91769 WP(C) NO. 25104 OF 2025 10 On receipt of the aforesaid details from the MRCMPU, the Competent Authority of the Provident Fund Organization shall reconsider the options submitted by the petitioners, without undue delay and within a period of two months from the date on which the details are made available by the MRCMPU. In order to enable re-consideration, Exhibit-P12 and similar orders rejecting the options filed by the petitioners will stand set aside.
Writ petition ordered accordingly.
Sd/-
GOPINATH P. JUDGE ats 2025:KER:91769 WP(C) NO. 25104 OF 2025 11 APPENDIX OF WP(C) NO. 25104 OF 2025 PETITIONERS' EXHIBITS Exhibit P1 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 31.10.2014 IN W.P.(C).NO.23447/2014.
Exhibit P2 TRUE COPY OF THE AMENDED NOTIFICATION HAVING NO.GSR 609 (E) DATED 22.08.2014. Exhibit P3 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 P4 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 P5 TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED 09.03.2004 IN W.A.NO.1591/ 2003.
Exhibit P6 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 25.08.2016 OF THE SECOND RESPONDENT.
Exhibit P7 TRUE COPY OF THE CHALAN DATED 18.11.2006 ALONG WITH DETAILS OF THE EMPLOYEES TO WHOM REMITTANCE WAS MADE.
Exhibit P8 TRUE COPY OF THE CHALAN DATED 12.03.2008 ALONG WITH THE DETAILS OF THE EMPLOYEES FOR WHOM REMITTANCE WAS MADE.
Exhibit P9 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 30.06.2016 OF THE SECOND RESPONDENT.
Exhibit P10 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 03.08.2024 OF THE FOURTH RESPONDENT.
Exhibit P11 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 05.04.2025 OF THE FOURTH RESPONDENT.
2025:KER:91769 WP(C) NO. 25104 OF 2025 12 Exhibit P12 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 17.04.2025 OF THE SECOND RESPONDENT IN RESPECT OF THE 15TH PETITIONER.
Exhibit P13 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT IN THE CASE OF UNION OF INDIA V. CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL REPORTED IN 2002 KHC 175.
Exhibit P14 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 10.12.2024 IN W.P.(C). NO.15353/2024.
Exhibit P15 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 24.02.2025, IN W.P.(C).NO.1932/25.
Exhibit P16 TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 24.06.2025, IN W.P.(C).NO.17666/2025.
Exhibit P17 TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 23.05.2025 OF THE CENTRAL PF COMMISSIONER I. Exhibit P18 TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED 23.05.2025 IN W.P.(C).NO.19128/2025.