Kerala High Court
Union Of India vs George K.P on 31 October, 2014
Author: P.R.Ramachandra Menon
Bench: P.R.Ramachandra Menon, Anil K.Narendran
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
PRESENT:
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON
&
THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ANIL K.NARENDRAN
MONDAY, THE 29TH DAY OF AUGUST 2016/7TH BHADRA, 1938
W.A.No. 1588 of 2015
------------------------------
W.P.(C).NO.23447/2014 DATED 31-10-2014
APPELLANT(S)/RESPONDENTS 1 TO 5:
-------------------------------------------------------
1. UNION OF INDIA,
REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT OF INDIA,
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT,
DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT,
NEW DELHI - 110 001
2. CENTRAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER,
EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION,
HEAD OFFICE, BHAVISHYA NIDHI BHAVAN,
NEW DELHI - 110 066
3. REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER,
EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION(EPFO)
MINISTRY OF LABOUR, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA,
PATTOM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 695 001
4. REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER,
EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION(EPFO)
SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, ERANHIPALAM,
KOZHIKODE - 673 006
5. REGIONAL PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER,
EMPLOYEES PROVIDENT FUND ORGANISATION(EPFO)
SUB REGIONAL OFFICE, VEEKAY COMPLEX,
FORT ROAD, KANNUR 670 003.
BY ADVS.SRI.N.N.SUGUNAPALAN (SR.)
SMT.T.N.GIRIJA, SC,EPF ORGANISATION
W.A.No. 1588 of 2015 : 2 :
RESPONDENT(S):
------------------------
1. GEORGE K.P.
S/O.K.T.PAILY, MANAGER (P&I),
MRCMPU LTD, HO KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
2. RAMESAN P.A
S/O.ARAVINDAKSHAN NAIR, MANAGER,
(MKTDG) MRCMPU LTD, HO KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
3. KESAVAN V.N
S/O.V.K.NEELAKANDAN NAMBIAR, SR.MANAGER (P&M),
MRCMPU LTD, HO KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
4. BABU VARGHESE
S/O.A.J.VARGHESE, MANAGER (PP), MRCMPU LTD,
HO KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
5. SELVAKUMAR G
S/O.GANAPATHY NAYANAR, SR.MANAGER (P&I), MRCMPU LTD,
HO KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
6. AJITHKUMAR K
S/O.DAMODARAN NAIR C, MILK PROCUREMENT OFFICER,
MRCMPU LTD, HO KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
7. JAYANARAYANAN V.T
S/O.V.T.GOPALAKRISHNAN, ACCOUNTS OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD,
HO KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
8. PREMANANDAN K
S/O.ASHOKAN NAIR, ASST.MANAGER (MTLS), MRCMPU LTD,
HO KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
9. ROOPESH N.P
S/O.UNNIKIDAVU, TECHNICAL OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD,
HO KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
10. SURESH KUMAR P.S
S/O.SETHUMADHAVAN M.P,PROGRAMMER (MIS&S) MRCMPU LTD,
HO KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
11. CHANDINI P.P
D/O.KUMARAN, PA TO MD (HG2), MRCMPU LTD,
HO KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
12. ANIE P.C
W/O.T.A.LUCKOSE, MILK PROCUREMENT OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD,
HO KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
13. JACOB THOMAS
S/O.JACOB V.T,SR.MANAGER (F&A), MRCMPU LTD,
HO KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
W.A.No. 1588 of 2015 : 3 :
14. SANTHOSH P.R
S/O.RAMAKRISHNAPILLAI, MARKETING OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD,
HO KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
15. JOS SIMON M
S/O.OUSEPH SIMON, ASST.MANAGER (P&I), MRCMPU LTD, HO
KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
16. SURESH R
S/O.K.RAGHAVAN NAIR, ASST.MANAGER (P&1), MRCMPU LTD,
HO KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
17. ABRAHAM M
S/O.MATHAN, ASST.MANAGER, MRCMPU LTD,
HO KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
18. MATHEW T
S/O.THOMAS T.T, MILK PROCUREMENT OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD,
CHUZHALI, KALPETTA P.O, WAYANAD.
19. RAVEENDRAN C.
S/O.KANARAN C, MILK PROCUREMENT OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD,
HO KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
20. VASUDEVAN K.R
S/O.RAMAN, MILK PROCUREMENT OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD, CHUZHALI,
KALPETTA P.O, WAYANAD.
21. PUZHPARAJAN C.A
S/O.APPUNNI, MILK PROCUREMENT OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD,
HO KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE.
22. SUKUMARAN K.K
S/O.PAPPAN KUNJAN, ASST.MILK PROCUREMENT OFFICER,
MRCMPU LTD, PALAKKAD DIARY, KALLEPULLY P.O.
23. GEORGEKUTTY K.K
S/O.K.P.KURIAKOSE, ASST.MILK PROCUREMENT OFFICER,
MRCMPU LTD, KUNNAMANGALAM P.O, KOZHIKODE.
24. BHARATHA BHUSHAN K
S/O.K.NARAYANAN, ASST.MILK PROCUREMENT OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD,
KUNNAMANGALAM P.O, KOZHIKODE.
25. MOHANADASAN P
S/O.SUBRAMANIYAN, ASST.MILK PROCUREMENT OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD,
KUNNAMANGALAM P.O, KOZHIKODE.
26. JAMES K.C
S/O.M.K.CHAKOCHAN, MANAGER (PP&P), DIARY MANAGER,
MILMA, KANNUR DIARY.
27. RATHEESAN M.K
S/O.LATE M.KRISHNAN, ASST.MANAGER (ACCOUNTS),
MILMA, KANNUR DIARY.
W.A.No. 1588 of 2015 : 4 :
28. GOPI K.S
S/O.SANKARAN K.G, ASST.MANAGER (QC), MILMA,
KANNUR DIARY.
29. SAJEENDRAN T.V
S/O.LATE K.M.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR, ASST.MANAGER, (MARKETING)
MILMA KANNUR DIARY.
30. BOBY KURIAKOSE
S/O.M.J.KURIAKOSE, DEPUTY ENGINEER, MILMA,
KANNUR DIARY.
31. CHANDRALAL T.R
S/O.K.THULASEEDHARAN, DEPUTY ENGINEER, MILMA,
KANNUR DIARY.
32. ARBIN M BHASKAR
S/O.M.A.BHASKARAN, TECHNICAL OFFICER,
MILMA, KANNUR DIARY.
33. RAMAMOORTHY P.K
S/O.P.R.KRISHNA IYER, ASST.STORE OFFICER,
MILMA, KANNUR DIARY.
34. RAJEEV KUMAR T
S/O.KUNHAPPA, ASST.MARKETING OFFICER,
MILMA, KANNUR DIARY.
35. RESHMA MOHAN
D/O.MOHAN T.G, TECHNICAL SUPERINTENDENT,
MILMA, KANNUR DIARY.
36. ARJUN G
S/O.GOPALAN M.M, TECHNICAL SUPERINTENDENT,
MILMA, KANNUR DIARY.
37. RESHMI T.RAJAN
D/O.M.RAJAN, DIARY CHEMIST, MILMA, KANNUR DIARY.
38. VIJAYAKUMARAN K.M
S/O.V.M.KRISHNAN NAMBISAN, SENIOR MANAGER, KOZHIKODE DIARY,
KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE 673 571.
39. THOMAS T.M
S/O.MATHEW T.J, MANAGER ACCOUNTS, MRCMPU LTD,
KUNNAMANGALAM P.O, KOZHIKODE DIARY.
40. RAGHAVAN K.K
S/O.K.V.KANNAN, MANAGER (MARKETING),
KOZHIKODE DIARY.
41. MATHEW VARHGESE
S/O. A.V.MATHEW, TECHNICAL OFFICER/MANAGER MCP NILAMBUR,
MALAPPURAM DISTRICT, KERALA 679 329.
W.A.No. 1588 of 2015 : 5 :
42. RAMACHANDRAN K
KALATHIYATH, S/O.U.BALAKRISHNAN NAIR, ASST.MANAGER (P&M),
MRCMPU LTD, KOZHIKODE DIARY, KUNNAMANGALAM P.O, KOZHIKODE.
43. RADHAKRISHNAN S
S/O.P.SRIDHARAN NAIR, ASST.MANAGER (P&M), MRCMPU LTD,
CENTRAL PRODUCTS DIARY,BEYPORE NORTH, KOZHIKODE 673 315.
44. RAGHUTHAMAN P
S/O.P.BALAN, DEPUTY ENGINEER, MRCMPU LTD, KOZHIKODE DIARY,
PERINGOLAM, KUNNAMANGALAM.
45. RAMESH V MENON
S/O.U.ACHUTHAMENON, TECHNICAL SUPERINTENDENT, KOZHIKODE,
DIARY, KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE 673 571.
46. ANIL KUMAR I.S
S/O.I.SANKARAN, TECHNICAL OFFICER, MILMA, KOZHIKODE DIARY,
KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE 673 571.
47. NIRISH S
S/O.K.SUKUMARAN, TECHNICAL OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD,
KOZHIKODE DIARY, KUNNAMANGALAM, KOZHIKODE 673 571.
48. VINOD KUMAR R.S
S/O.R.S.PILLAI, QUALITY CONTROL OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD,
KOZHIKODE DIARY,KUNNAMANGALAM P.O,
KOZHIKODE 673 571.
49. VALSALA K
S/O.SANKARANARAYANAN, ASST.ACCOUNTS OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD,
KOZHIKODE DIARY, PERINGOLAM.
50. BIJEESH M
S/O.MOHAN KUMAR, STORES OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD,
KOZHIKODE DIARY,KUNNAMANGALAM.
51. RAMARAJ M.K
S/O.GANGADHARAN NAIR, ASSISTANT MANAGER (P&A), KOZHIKODE DIARY.
52. GOPALAKRISHNAN P
S/O.PONNUNAMBI, MANAGER (PP/P&M), MRCMPU LTD,
TMR PLANT, PALAKKAD.
53. MARY SAMUEL
D/O.K.G.SAMUEL, ASST.MANAGER (QC), MANAGER, MRCMPU LTD,
PALAKKAD DIARY, KALLEPULLY P.O,
PALAKKAD 678 005.
54. BABY SHEELA V
D/O.C.M.VELAYUDHAN, ASST.MANAGER (MRKTG) I/C. MRCMPU LTD,
PALAKKAD DIARY, KALLEPULLY P.O, PALAKKAD 678 005.
55. SAGAR S
S/O.K.K.SUKUMARAN, MARKETING OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD, PALAKKAD
DIARY, KALLEPULLY P.O, PALAKKAD 678 005.
W.A.No. 1588 of 2015 : 6 :
56. JAYACHANDRAN V
S/O.R.VELANDY,ASST.MANAGER (QC), MRCMPU LTD, PALAKKAD DIARY,
ELLEPULLY P.O, PALAKKAD 676 005.
57. FRANCIS XAVIER K.A
S/O.K.G.ANGELO, ASST.MANAGER (P&A), MRCMPU LTD, PALAKKAD DIARY,
KALLEPULLY P.O, PALAKKAD 678 005.
58. CHANDRASEKHARAN A
S/O.K.ANDY, DEPUTY ENGINEER, MRCMPU LTD, PALAKKAD DIARY,
KALLEPULLYP.O, PALAKKAD 678 005.
59. SATHEESHCHANDRA V.R
S/O.RAMAKRISHNAPILLAI, TECH.SUPDT. MRCMPU LTD, PALAKKAD DIARY,
KALLEPULLY P.O, PALAKKAD 678 005.
60. GOKULANATHAN A.N
S/O.A.NARAYANAMENON, ASST.STORE OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD,
PALAKKAD DIARY, KALLEPULLY P.O,
PALAKKAD 678 005.
61. SAJEESH M
S/O.K.V.PRABHAKARAN, MARKETING OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD,
PALAKKAD DIARY, KALLEPULLY P.O, PALAKKAD 678 005.
62. KONDA D.S
S/O.SUBBAIAH, DIARY MANAGER, MRCMPU LTD, CHUZHALI,
KALPETTA P.O, WAYANAD.
63. SASI P.B
S/O.BHASKKARAN, ASST.MANAGER (MKTG), MRCMPU LTD, CHUZHALI,
KALPETTA P.O, WAYANAD.
64. THOMAS V.J
S/O.JOSEPH V.V,TS (ENGG), MRCMPU LTD, CHUZHALI,
KALPETTA P.O, WAYANAD.
65. SUDHEER P.S
S/O.SANKARANKUTTY PANIKKAR, T.S (ENGG), MRCMPU LTD,
CHUZHALI, KALPETTA P.O, WAYANAD.
66. MURALEEDHARAN E
S/O.KRISHNAKURUPU, T.S (LAB), MRCMPU LTD, CHUZHALI,
KALPETTA P.O, WAYANAD.
67. AJITH T.JOHN
S/O.JOHN, ASST.MARKETING OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD, CHUZHALI,
KALPETTA P.O, WAYANAD.
68. PREMLAL N.K
S/O.N.K.PILLAI, MANAGER (PP/P&M), MRCMPU LTD, KASARAGOD DIARY,
KANHANGAD, KASARAGOD.
69. SHAJIMON K.K
S/O.MATHEW KURIAKOSE, ASST.MANAGER (P&M), MRCMPU LTD,
ANANDASRAMAM P.O, KASARAGODE.
W.A.No. 1588 of 2015 : 7 :
70. ARUN P
S/O.RAVINDRANATH K, TECHNICAL OFFICER, MRCMPU LTD,
KASARAGOD DIARY.
71. RAJEESH R.K
S/O.KRISHNAN K.A, TS (ENG), MRCMPU LTD,
KASARAGOD DIARY.
72. THOMAS P.KURIEN
S/O.KURIEN THOMAS, T.S (P), MRCMPU LTD,
KASARAGOD DIARY.
73. NISAR BAVA M.K
S/O.MUHAMMED M.K TS(P), MRCMPU LTD, KASARAGOD DIARY.
74. SANJU SUNNY
S/O.SUNNY P. ABRAHAM, DIARY CHEMIST/BACTERIOLOGIST,
MRCMPU LTD, KASARAGOD DIARY.
75. MALABAR REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE MILK PRODUCERS UNION LTD
HEAD OFFICE, PERINGLOAM, KUNNAMANGALAM P.O, KOZHIKODE 673 571,
REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR.
R1-R74 BY ADV. SRI.K.SASIKUMAR
R75 BY ADVS. SMT.LATHA ANAND
SRI.M.N.RADHAKRISHNA MENON
SRI.JOSEPH SEBASTIAN (PARACKAL)
THIS WRIT APPEAL HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 29-08-2016
ALONG WITH W.A.NO.1589 OF 2015, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE
FOLLOWING:
Bb
P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON
&
ANIL K.NARENDRAN, JJ.
.......................................................................
W.A.Nos.1588 & 1589 of 2015
.........................................................................
Dated this the 29th day of August, 2016
J U D G M E N T
P.R.Ramachandra Menon, J.
These appeals arise from the verdicts passed by the learned Single Judge in the concerned writ petitions, which involve a common issue in relation to the right of the employees concerned to effect contribution to the Employees Pension Fund even beyond the ceiling limit (Rs.6,500/-) as per the terms of the scheme. Specimen prayers as raised in W.P.(C).No.23447 of 2014 are extracted below:
"i. To declare that the petitioners are entitled to enjoy the pensionary benefits as per the Employees Pension Scheme based on their pay exceeding the ceiling limit of Rs.5000/- or Rs.6500/- as the case may be and to further declare that the action of the respondents in not permitting the petitioners to W.A.Nos.1588 & 1589 of 2015 : 2 : enjoy the pension scheme on the basis of their pay exceeding the ceiling limit is unconstitutional and is violative of the principles of proportionality, etc; ii. To issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ, order or direction commanding respondents 3, 4 and 5 to permit the petitioners to enjoy the pensionary benefits as per the EP scheme by computing the pensionary contribution on the basis of the petitioners' actual pay exceeding the ceiling limit, from time to time and to complete necessary steps in this regard;
iii. to issue any other appropriate writ, order or direction as this Hon'ble Court may deem fit to grant in the facts and circumstances of this case, to meet the ends of justice, equity and good conscience;"
2. When the matters came up for consideration before the learned Single Judge, relief was granted in favour of the writ petitioners, which made the appellants to feel aggrieved and hence the appeals.
3. As revealed from the pleadings, the main ground of appeal is that, the learned Single Judge has allowed the writ petition following the judgment in W.A.No.1137/2012, which W.A.Nos.1588 & 1589 of 2015 : 3 : in fact has already been subjected to challenge by approaching the Hon'ble Supreme Court and that the SLP No.7074/2014 was pending. Pointing out that the issue was still to be finalized, the appeal was filed, of course, with a petition to condone the delay, which was condoned as per orders dated 23.08.2016.
4. Today, when the appeals are taken up for further consideration, the learned counsel appearing for the party respondents as well as the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondent-Establishment submits that, the issue, which was pending consideration before the Supreme Court, has attained finality and that the SLP was dismissed along with other cases, as per common order dated 31.03.2016. This being the position, nothing further remains to be considered, as the verdict passed by the Division Bench of this Court in W.A.No.1137/2012 has become final. The party respondents are entitled to have the relief, as granted by the learned Single Judge. W.A.Nos.1588 & 1589 of 2015 : 4 :
5. In the above circumstances, this Court finds that, the issue stands covered by the verdict already passed by another Bench of this Court in another appeal as aforesaid. The verdict passed by the learned Single Judge is perfectly within the four walls of the law and is not liable to be assailed on any ground. Interference is declined and both the appeals are dismissed accordingly.
Sd/-
P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON, JUDGE Sd/-
ANIL K.NARENDRAN, JUDGE Bb/03/09/2016 [True copy] P.A to Judge