P.Usha v. Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Salem)Ltd

ORDER This Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondent to pay interest at the rate of 12 percent per annum to the petitioners 1 to 3 for the belated payment of terminal benefits namely, provident fund Gratuity and Earned Leave salary, for the respective periods of delay of 644 days, 665 days and 390 days and to pay interest at the rate of 12 percent per annum to the fourth petitioner for the belated payment of provident fund and Gratuity for a period of delay of 584 days, within a specified time as fixed by this Court.

¶2It is the case of the petitioners that their husbands joined the service of the respondent Corporation during the years 1986, 1988, 1989 & 1996 and died in harness during 2018, 2022 & 2023 respectively. However, the terminal benefits namely, provident fund Gratuity and Earned Leave salary, were settled to the petitioners 1 to 3 with a delay of 644 days, 665 days and 390 days respectively and the terminal benefits namely, provident fund and Gratuity to the fourth petitioner with a delay of 584 days. Therefore, the petitioners claimed 12% interest on the belated settlement of retirement benefits as stated supra and they have also made a representation on

17.09.2025, 08.10.2025, 13.10.2025 & 26.09.2025 respectively to pay interest for the belated settlement of retirement benefits which have not evoked any response so far. Hence, the present Writ Petition.

¶3Heard the learned counsels appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record. With the consent of both sides, the Writ Petition is taken up for hearing at the admission stage itself.

¶4In view of the limited request made by the petitioners with regard to interest on the belated settlement of retirement benefits, this Court directs the respondents to pay interest at the rate of 6% p.a. for the belated payment of retirement benefits as stated supra from the date of retirement till the date of actual disbursal of the retirement benefits of the petitioners, if there is no impediment in disbursing the same, within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, taking into account the bank rate of interest on deposits.

¶5Accordingly, this Writ Petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs.

¶6WMP.No.3754 of 2026 filed by the petitioners to permit them to join together and file a Single Writ Petition is allowed on payment of single Court fee.

04-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order DP To Tamilnadu State Transport corporation (salem)Ltd Rep by its the Managing Director No.12,Ramakrishna Road Salem-7

M.DHANDAPANI, J. DP WP No. 3314 of 2026 04-02-2026

W.P.No.3314oofo2026 INoTHEoHIGHoCOURToOFoJUDICATUREoAToMADRAS DATED:o04-02-2026 CORAM THEoHON'BLEoMRoJUSTICEoM.DHANDAPANI WPoNo.o3314oofo2026 1. P.Usha W/o.Late.Ponnusamio(MCR088) Chinnayanovalavu Vembaneri Edappadi Salem-637o105 2. Chitra W/o.late.Somanathan(TRo1550) 195/2oAmbedkaroNagar Narasingapuram, Attur Salem-636o108 3. A.Palaniyammal W/o.Late.Arumugam(DRo2563) 7/22,Kovalankadu Katchupalli Edappadi Salem-637o102 Pageo1oofo6 4. H.Sagundhala W/o.Late.R.Palaniyappan(CR 6059) 5/254-6,Periyar nagar Aarur, Dharmapuri-636 903 ..Petitioner(s) Vs Tamilnadu State Transport corporation (salem)Ltd Rep by its the Managing Director No.12,Ramakrishna Road Salem-7 ..Respondent(s) Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondent to pay interest at the rate of 12 percentage perannum to the 1st 2nd and 3rd petitioners for the belated payment of terminal benefits namely provident fund Gratuity and Earned Leave salary, for the respective periods of delay of 644 days, 665 days and 390 days, and to pay interest at the rate of 12 percentage per annum to the 4th petitioner for the belated payment of provident fund and Gratuity for a period of delay of 584 days within a specified time. For Petitioner(s): Ms.G.K.Dharshini For Respondent(s): Mr.K.Raja