N.Ravichandran v. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Tamilnadu

O R D E R Mr.V.Om Prakash, learned Government Advocate, takes notice for the respondent and Mr.S.C.Herold Singh, learned Standing Counsel, takes notice for the respondents 2 to 4.

¶2With the consent of both sides, this writ petition is disposed of at the admission stage.

¶3Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the Government Advocate appearing for the first respondent and the learned Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents 2 to 4.

¶4This writ petition has been filed for a mandamus directing the respondent to compute and pay difference amounts in the benefits in respect of gratuity, encashment of leave salary, monthly pension, by taking dearness allowance on par with serving employees of the Transport Corporation with arrears to the petitioner from the date of his retirement i.e 30.04.2024 in terms of the 15th wage revision settlement entered under Section 12(3) of the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947, dated 29.05.2025, together with interest at the rate of 6% per annum for the differential payment to be computed from the date of his retirement till the date of payment within a time frame as may be fixed by this Court.

¶5Today, when the matter is taken up for consideration, learned counsel on either side agree that the issue that arises for consideration in this writ petition is squarely covered by an order passed by the Coordinate Bench of this Court in W.P.(MD) No.3191 of 2026, dated 05.02.2026, in an identical fact situation and a copy of the said order is also placed before this Court.

¶6In the light of the consensus, this Court does not see any reason to adjudicate the case on hand on merits and is of the view that this writ petition can be disposed of in terms of the said order dated 05.02.2026, passed by the Coordinate Bench of this Court in W.P.(MD) No.3191 of 2026, wherein, the learned Single Judge has held as follows: "7.The petitioner's husband was in service as a permanent employee of the Transport Corporation as on

01.09.2023 and therefore, he is entitled for the benefits as per this 15th wage settlement. The petitioner's husband died, while he was in service on 27.12.2023 and he was paid with the retirement benefits as per the earlier wage settlement. The 15th wage settlement provides revision of scale of pay by 6% on the basic pay, for those who were in service as on 01.09.2023, however monetary benefits with effect from 01.09.2024. Therefore, the petitioner's husband is entitled for the monetary benefits, pursuant to the revision of scale of pay from 01.09.2024 and the consequential retirement benefits.

8.Admittedly, such a revision has not been made till date. Any belated settlement of monetary benefits due to an employee needs to be settled with interest at the rate of 6% per annum. Therefore, this writ petition stands allowed with a direction to the respondent Transport Corporation to revise the pay scale of the petitioner's husband with effect from 01.09.2023 and provide the monetary benefits with effect from 01.09.2024, as per the 15th wage settlement dated 29.05.2025 and settle the benefits along with arrears to the petitioner within a period of six months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, with interest @ 6% per annum. The interest shall be calculated for the period beyond Clause 37(b) of the settlement dated 29.05.2025 till the date of actual payment. There shall be no order as to costs."

¶7In the light of the above, this writ petition is allowed directing the respondents to revise the pay scale of the petitioner with effect from

01.09.2023 and provide all the consequential monetary benefits with effect from 01.09.2024 as per the 15th Wage Settlement dated 29.05.2025 and settle all other benefits in terms of the said Settlement and pay arrears thereon to the petitioner, within a period of three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order, together with interest at the rate of 6% per annum for the belated payment. No costs.

12.03.2026 (2/4) NCC : Index : Internet :

krk To: The Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu Transport Department Secretariat, Chennai-600 009 MUMMINENI-SUDHEER-KUMAR,-J. krk W.P.(MD)-No.6623-of-2026

12.03.2026 (2/4)

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 12.03.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE MUMMINENI SUDHEER KUMAR N.Ravichandran ... Petitioner -vs- 1.The Additional Chief Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu Transport Department Secretariat, Chennai-600 009 2.The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Kumbakonam) Ltd., rep.by its Managing Director Kumbakonam 3.The General Manager The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Kumbakonam) Ltd., Pudukottai Region Pudukottai 4.The Administrator The Tamil Nadu Transport Corporation Employees Pension Fund Trust Thiruvalluvar Illam Pallavan Salai, Chennai-600 002 ... Respondents PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue a writ of mandamus directing the respondents to compute and pay difference amounts in the benefits in respect of gratuity, encashment of leave salary, monthly pension by taking dearness allowance on par with serving employees of Transport Corporation with arrears to the petitioner from the date of his retirement i.e 30.04.2024 as per in terms of the 15th wage revision settlement entered under Section 12(3) of I.D. Act dated 29.05.2025 together with interest at the rate of 6% per annum for the differential payment to be computed from the date of his retirement till the date of payment within a time frame as may be fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.A.Rahul For Respondents : Mr.V.Om Prakash Government Advocate for R1 Mr.S.C.Herold Singh Standing Counsel for R2 to R4