IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE S.SIRI JAGAN FRIDAY, THE 10TH DECEMBER 2010 / 19TH AGRAHAYANA 1932 WP(C).No. 35305 of 2010(K) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- SAYYED ULAMAM SHA, S/O.SAYYED HUSSAIN, KANDATHILPARAMBU, VELLAKINAR WARD, ALAPPUZHA, RETD. AS PEON, ALAPPUZHA MUNICIPALITY. BY ADV. SMT.C.K.SHERIN RESPONDENT(S): --------------- 1. THE DIRECTOR OF URBAN AFFAIRS, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695 001. 2. THE ALAPPUZHA MUNICIPALITY, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, ALAPPUZHA MUNICIPALITY, ALAPPUZHA-688 001. ADV. SRI.M.K.CHANDRAMOHAN DAS, SC, M.C.,ALP FOR R2 GOVT. PLEADER SRI. ANTONY MUKKATH. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10/12/2010, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: S. Siri Jagan, J. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= W.P(C) No. 35305 of 2010 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Dated this, the 10th day of December, 2010. J U D G M E N T The petitioner is a retired employee of the 2nd respondent- Municipality. The petitioner's grievance in this writ petition is that although the petitioner retired from service on 31.3.2010, the petitioner is yet to receive his retirement benefits. The learned standing counsel for the 2nd respondent submits that the retirement benefits due to the petitioner could not be disbursed only because of financial stringency faced by the 2nd respondent-Municipality. The standing counsel seeks six months' time to pay the retirement benefits due to the petitioner. 2. Retirement benefits is the right of the petitioner. That cannot be withheld without proper reasons. Financial stringency cannot be accepted as a reason on its face value. Therefore, this writ petition is disposed of with the following directions: 50% of the retirement benefits due to the petitioner shall be disbursed within three weeks from today. The balance shall be paid within three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Sd/- S. Siri Jagan, Judge. Tds/ [TRUE COPY] P.S TO JUDGE.