IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE THOTTATHIL B.RADHAKRISHNAN TUESDAY, THE 14TH OCTOBER 2008 / 22ND ASWINA 1930 WP(C).No. 27117 of 2008(C) --------------------------------------- PETITIONER(S): ---------------------- 1. S.SYAMLAL, ACCOUNTANT, THE PARAVUR S.N.V REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO.1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DISTRICT. 2. M.RAJENDRA PRASAD, INTERNAL AUDITOR, THE PARAVUR S.N.V.REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO.1685,PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DISTRICT 3. N.REGHU , DRIVER -CUM-PEON, THE PARAVUR S.N.V.REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD. NO.1685,PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DISTRICT 4. R.SAJI, SENIOR CLERK, HR.GRADE, THE PARAVUR S.N.V.REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD. NO.1685,PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DISTRICT 5. B.MEKHARAJAN, CHIEF CASHIER, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD. NO.1685,PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DISTRICT 6. T.KUMARY PRABHA, BRANCH MANAGER, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD. NO.1685,PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DISTRICT 7. R.SUSEELAKUMARY, ACCOUNTANT, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD. NO.1685,PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DISTRICT 8. C.R. BABY AMMA, ACCOUNTANT, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD. NO.1685,PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DISTRICT 9. K.SIVAPRASAD, ACCOUNTANT, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD NO.1685,PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DISTRICT W.P.(C) 10. P.AMBIKAKUMARY, ACCOUNTANT, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD NO.1685,PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DISTRICT 11. K.JALAJA, SENIOR CLERK/RECEPTIONIST, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST. 12. P.VIJAYAN, SENIOR CLERK HR. GRADE, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST. 13. R.PREETHA, SENIOR CLERK HR.GRADE, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST. 14. T.HARILA, SENIOR CLERK HR.GRADE, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 15. T.LALLY, SENIOR CLERK, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 16. K.G. JALAJAMANI, SENIOR CLERK, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 17. S.SREEJA, SENIOR CLERK, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 18. K.VIJAYAKUMAR, SENIOR CLERK, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 19. S.VINOD, SENIOR CLERK, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 20. P.AMBIKA, SENIOR CLERK, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 21. D.SHEELA,JUNIOR CLERK HR.GRDE, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 22. N.THULASI, JUNIOR CLERK HR.GRADE, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST W.P.(C) NO.27117/2008 23. C.RADHAKRISHNAN,JUNIOR CLERK HR.GRADE, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 24. M.MUHAMMED RAZIM, JUNIOR CLERK HR.GRADE. THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 25. S.SUHAJA, JUNIOR CLERK, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 26. V.S.MANOJLAL, JUNIOR CLERK, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 27. D.SOMARAJ, JUNIOR CLERK, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 28. R.PRADEEP, JUNIOR CLERK, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 29. S.PUSHPARAJAN, ATTENDER HR.GRADE, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 30. M.SUKESAN, ATTENDER, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 31. V.SURESH BABU, DRIVER -CUM-PEON, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 32. J.MADHU, DRIVER -CUM-PEON, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 33. K.SUDARSANAN, DRIVER -CUM-PEON, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 34. P.A.SHEELA, PEON, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 35. P.A. RAZEENA, PEON THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST W.P.(C) NO.27117/2008 36. S.RADHAKRISHNAN, PEON, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 37. R.UPENDRAN, PEON, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 38. T.S.MINNUDAS, PEON, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 39. D.BIJI, PEON, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 40. G.S. BINI,PEON, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 41. B.MAJIN, PEON, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 42. R.RAJEEV, PEON, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 43. S.ROOPESH, PEON, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 44. K.SASIDHARAKURUP ,PEON, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 45. S.BINUKUMAR ,PEON, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 46. K.A. ABDUL MANAF, PEON, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 47. J.THILAKAN, PEON, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 48. D.AISHA, CHIEF ACCOUNTANT, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST W.P.(C) NO. 49. G.RAJU, BRACH MANAGER, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST 50. B.T.SOMARAJAN, ACCOUNTANT, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO.1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DISTRICT 51. V.BIJI, PEON, THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DIST BY ADV. SRI.BECHU KURIAN THOMAS RESPONDENT(S): ------------------------- 1. STATE OF KERALA, REPRESENTED BY SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCITIES, GOVERNMENT SECRETARIAT, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. THE JOINT REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES (AUDIT), KOLLAM. 3. THE JOINT REGISTRAR OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES (GENERAL), KOLLAM. 4. THE PARAVUR S.N.V. REGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO.1685,PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY ITS SECRETARY, 5. THE SECRETARY, PARAVUR S.N.V. EGIONAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD., NO. 1685, PARAVUR P.O., KOLLAM DISTRICT. ADV. SRI.B.SURESH KUMAR FOR R4-5 BY GOVERNMENT PLEADER SRI.I.V.PRAMOD THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 14/10/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: W.P.(C) NO.27117/2008 APPENDIX PETITIONERS EXHIBITS P1:- COPY OF THE NOTICE PUBLISHED BY THE BANK. P2:- COPY OF THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE 4TH RESPONDENT, FOR THE YEAR 2007-08. P3:- COPY OF THE NOTICE DT. 30.11.07 ISSUED BY THE 4TH RESPONDENT. P4:- COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION DT. 7.12.07 TO THE 3RD RESPONDENT. P5:- COPY OF THE JUDGMENT DT. 13.2.08 IN WPC. 37842/07. P6:- COPY OF THE NOTICE DT. 4.4.08 ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT. P7:- COPY OF THE ORDER DT. 20.5.08 NO.M.1019/07 ISSUED BY THE 2ND RESPONDENT. P8:- COPY OF THE NOTICE DT. 3.6.08 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT TO THE IST PETITIONER. P8(a):- COPY OF THE STATEMENT FILED BY THE PETITIONERS DT. 16.7.08 BEFORE THE 3RD RESPONDENT. P8(b):- COPY OF THE ORDER DT. 22.8.08 ISSUED BY THE 3RD RESPONDENT. P9:- COPY OF THE ORDER DT. 18.2.08 RELATING TO MILMA. /TRUE COPY/ P.A. TO JUDGE tss THOTTATHIL B. RADHAKRISHNAN, J. ------------------------------------------------------ W.P.(C) NO.27117 OF 2008 (C) ------------------------------------------------------ Dated this the 14th day of October, 2008 J U D G M E N T The petitioners are the employees of the fourth respondent co- operative bank, which is stated to be with a working capital of more than Rs.300 crores and a deposit balance of more than Rs.208 crores. It is stated that, thus, it is the biggest primary co-operative bank in the State. It is pleaded that due to the concerted efforts of all the employees, bank has been able to give maximum dividend to its members. Taking into consideration the effective and efficient contribution of the employees, the bank took steps to grant certain ex-gratia bonus to the employees. That decision of the committee was placed before the general body of the bank, which accepted the suggestion and hence, it was decided to pay ex-gratia bonus. In terms of the Kerala Co-operative Societies Act and Rules, when such a decision is taken by the general body, it does not call for any exercise of powers by the Registrar or the Government against it, having particular regard to judgment dated 11-7-2008, of the Division Bench of this Court in O.P.No.17128/2008. Having regard to the aforesaid, the impugned decisions do not stand. The directions to recover the ex-gratia payments W.P.(C) No.27117 OF 2008 - 2 - would only cause deprivation of the amounts released and enjoyed by the employees. This would lead only to disharmony in the office and agony to the employees. For the foregoing reasons, Exhibit P7 is arbitrary and is liable to be set aside. In the result, this writ petition is allowed quashing Exhibit P7. No costs. Sd/- THOTTATHIL B. RADHAKRISHNAN, JUDGE skr/16/10 // True copy // P.A. to Judge.