Kerala High Court
Suresh Babu M.P vs Union Of India on 25 November, 2025
2025:KER:90787
WP(C) NO. 25095 OF 2025 1
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE GOPINATH P.
TUESDAY, THE 25TH DAY OF NOVEMBER 2025 / 4TH AGRAHAYANA, 1947
WP(C) NO. 25095 OF 2025
PETITIONER/S:
1 SURESH BABU M.P.,AGED 57 YEARS
PLANT ASSISTANT GR.I (HG), "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,)
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM, KUNNAMANGALAM P.O.,
KOZHIKODE UAN.NO.1003 7363 9435, PIN - 673571
2 SUMEY JACOB, AGED 53 YEARS
JUNIOR SUPERINTENDENT (HG), "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,)
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),
KOZHIKODE UAN.NO.1007 4625 0661, PIN - 673571
3 HAREESH.C.P, AGED 46 YEARS
LAB ASSISTANT, "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,) KOZHIKODE DAIRY,
PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),
KOZHIKODE UAN.NO.1001 6097 7033, PIN - 673571
4 RAMESAN.V,AGED 56 YEARS
PLANT ASSISTANT GR.I (HG), "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,)
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),
KOZHIKODE UAN.NO.1003 0415 2578, PIN - 673571
5 GIREESH.M, AGED 48 YEARS
LAB ASSISTANT, "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,) KOZHIKODE DAIRY,
PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO), KOZHIKODE
UAN.NO.1001 5336 5550, PIN - 673571
6 SALIL.K, AGED 51 YEARS
TECHNICIAN GRADE I; (HG), "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,)
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),
KOZHIKODE UAN NO. 1003 2888 9546., PIN - 673571
7 MANI.T, AGED 54 YEARS
SR.GRADE PLANT ASST; (HG2), "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,)
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),
KOZHIKODE UAN.NO.1002 1829 1079, PIN - 673571
2025:KER:90787
WP(C) NO. 25095 OF 2025 2
8 MADHU.K.P, AGED 49 YEARS
PLANT ASSISTANT GR.I (HG), "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,)
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),
KOZHIKODE UAN.NO.1002 1222 3259, PIN - 673571
9 SUDHEESHKUMAR, AGED 54 YEARS
JUNIOR SUPDT. (HG), "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,) KOZHIKODE
DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),KOZHIKODE
UAN.NO.1003 6587 5832, PIN - 673571
10 KRISHNAN.P.P, AGED 56 YEARS
PLANT ASSISTANT GR.I (HG), "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,)
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),
KOZHIKODE UAN.NO.1001 9689 8860, PIN - 673571
11 V.P.RAJESH, AGED 53 YEARS
PLANT ASSISTANT GR.I (HG), "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,)
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),
KOZHIKODE UAN.NO.1002 9685 0074, PIN - 673571
12 MANOSH KUMAR.M, AGED 46 YEARS
MKTG ORGANISER (HG), "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,) KOZHIKODE
DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),KOZHIKODE
UAN.NO.1002 2253 5839, PIN - 673571
13 RAJEESH KUMAR.K., AGED 48 YEARS
SR.GRDE PLANT ASST.(HG), "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,)
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),
KOZHIKODE UAN.NO.1002 9386 7555, PIN - 673571
14 BINDHU.K, AGED 54 YEARS
SR.GRADE PLANT ASSISTANT (HG), "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,)
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),
KOZHIKODE UAN.NO.1001 1505 6241, PIN - 673571
15 DHANYARAJ.V, AGED 45 YEARS
JUNIOR SUPDT. "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,) KOZHIKODE DAIRY,
PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),
KOZHIKODE UAN.NO.1009 0007 4685, PIN - 673571
16 SAJU.K, AGED 44 YEARS
TECHNICIAN GRADE I "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,) KOZHIKODE
DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),KOZHIKODE
UAN.NO.1003 2837 6939, PIN - 673571
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WP(C) NO. 25095 OF 2025 3
17 JIJOSH.M, AGED 43 YEARS
SENIOR GRADE MKTG ASST (HG), "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,)
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),
KOZHIKODE UAN.NO.1001 7621 0306, PIN - 673571
18 RAMESH.E , AGED 54 YEARS
OFFICE ATTENDER, (HG), "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,) KOZHIKODE
DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),KOZHIKODE
UAN.NO.1007 4688 2870, PIN - 673571
19 MANOJ.V, AGED 53 YEARS
MKTG ORGANISER "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,) KOZHIKODE DAIRY,
PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),KOZHIKODE
UAN.NO.1002 2230 3182, PIN - 673571
20 NAZEER.P.V, AGED 56 YEARS
SR.GRADE PLANT ASSISTANT (HG), "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,)
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),
KOZHIKODE UAN.NO.1002 5337 8928, PIN - 673571
21 GOPINATHAN.E, AGED 56 YEARS
SR.GRADE PLANT ASSISTANT (HG), "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,)
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),
KOZHIKODE UAN.NO.1001 5534 2799, PIN - 673571
22 FAISAL.K , AGED 53 YEARS
SR.GRADE PLANT ASSISTANT (HG), "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,)
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),
KOZHIKODE UAN.NO.1001 4584 9023, PIN - 673571
23 PRABHAKARAN.M, AGED 57 YEARS
SR.GRADE PLANT ASSISTANT (HG), "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,)
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),
KOZHIKODE UAN.NO.1002 7342 3436, PIN - 673571
24 SULAIMAN SHAH. S, AGED 45 YEARS
MKTG OFFICER, "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,) KOZHIKODE DAIRY,
PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),KOZHIKODE
UAN.NO.1003 6805 8327, PIN - 673571
25 A.BABY GIRIJA, AGED 53 YEARS
ASST.HRD OFFICER, "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,) KOZHIKODE
DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),KOZHIKODE
UAN.NO.1001 0488 4213, PIN - 673571
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WP(C) NO. 25095 OF 2025 4
26 SAVITHA.E.R , AGED 44 YEARS
AQAO, "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,) KOZHIKODE DAIRY
PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),KOZHIKODE UAN.NO.1003
4282 4070, PIN - 673571
27 SUJA.S , AGED 50 YEARS
SUJA.S FINANCE OFFICER, "MILMA (MRCMPU LTD.,)
KOZHIKODE DAIRY, PERINGOLAM KUNNAMANGALAM-(PO),
KOZHIKODE UAN.NO.1003 6664 8673, PIN - 673571
BY ADVS.
SHRI.P.N.MOHANAN
SMT.AMRUTHA SURESH
SRI.C.P.SABARI
SHRI.GILROY ROZARIO
RESPONDENT/S:
1 UNION OF INDIA (UOI),
REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT OF INDIA,
MINISTRY OF LABOUR & DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT,
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-1 (PENSION),
EPFO HEAD OFFICE, MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT,
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, BHAVISHYA NITHI BHAVAN, 14-
BHIKAJI CAMA PALACE, NEW DELHI, PIN - 110066
4 MALABAR REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS UNION LTD,
REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR, PERINGALAM P.O,
KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE, PIN - 673571
BY ADVS.
SMT.LAKSHMI MEENAKSHI P.R., CGC
SMT.NITA.N.S.
SMT. O.M SHALINA (DSG)
SMT LATHA ANAND (R4)
THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON
25.11.2025, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
2025:KER:90787
WP(C) NO. 25095 OF 2025 5
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 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 2025:KER:90787 WP(C) NO. 25095 OF 2025 6 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 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 :-
2025:KER:90787 WP(C) NO. 25095 OF 2025 7
(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.
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 ajt 2025:KER:90787 WP(C) NO. 25095 OF 2025 8 APPENDIX OF WP(C) 25095/2025 PETITIONER EXHIBITS Exhibit P1 A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 30.10.2014 IN W.P.(C).NO.23447/2014 Exhibit P2 A TRUE COPY OF THE AMENDED NOTIFICATION HAVING NO.GSR 609 (E) DATED 22.8.2014 Exhibit P3 A 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 A 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 A TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED 09.03.2004 IN W.A.NO.1591/ 2003 Exhibit P6 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 25.08.2016 OF THE SECOND RESPONDENT Exhibit P7 A TRUE COPY OF THE CHALAN DATED 17.11.2006 ALONG WITH DETAILS OF THE EMPLOYEES TO WHOM REMITTANCE WAS MADE Exhibit P8 A TRUE COPY OF THE CHALAN DATED 20.11.2006 Exhibit P9 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 30.06.2016 OF THE SECOND RESPONDENT Exhibit P10 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 03.08.2024 OF THE FOURTH RESPONDENT Exhibit P11 A TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER DATED 05.04.2025 OF THE FOURTH RESPONDENT Exhibit P12 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 16.04.2025 OF THE SECOND RESPONDENT IN RESPECT OF THE 2ND PETITIONER Exhibit P13 A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT IN THE CASE OF UNION OF INDIA V. CENTRAL ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNAL REPORTED IN 2002 KHC 175 Exhibit P14 A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 10.12.2024 IN W.P.(C). NO.15353/2024 Exhibit P15 A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 24.02.2025, IN W.P.(C).NO.1932/25 Exhibit P16 A TRUE COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DATED 24.06.2025, IN W.P.(C).NO.17666/2025 Exhibit P17 A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 23.05.2025 OF THE CENTRAL PF COMMISSIONER 2025:KER:90787 WP(C) NO. 25095 OF 2025 9 Exhibit P18 A TRUE COPY OF THE INTERIM ORDER DATED 23.05.2025 IN W.P.(C).NO.19128/2025