IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.R.RAMACHANDRA MENON THURSDAY, THE 3RD NOVEMBER 2011 / 12TH KARTHIKA 1933 WP(C).No. 27059 of 2011(F) -------------------------- PETITIONER(S): --------------- 1. C.R.RADHAKRISHNAN, DY.DC FOR FOR INSP. (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW R/AT. T.C.49/220, 'SOWPARNIKA', MUDAVANMUKL, POOJAPURA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695012. 2. K.SASIDHARAN NAIR, FINANCE & ACCOUNTS OFFICER (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT KRISHNA NIVAS, CHAVARA P.O., KOLLAM-691583. 3. A.R.MOHANACHANDRAN, SUPERINTENDENT, DEVASWAM ACCOUNTS OFFICE (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT AJAYA BHAVAN, MUTHUKATTUKARA, NOORANAD-690504. 4. D.ANANDHAN NAMBOOTHIRI, ASSISTANT DEVASWAM COMMISSIONER, VARKALA (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT SREEVINAYAKA MADOM, ADICHANALLOOR P.O., KOLLAM-691573. 5. L.SARASWATHY, ASSISTANT DEVASWAM COMMISSIONER, DC OFFICE (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT SREESAILAM, V.P.IX/390, KODUNGANNOOR P.O., KULASEKHARAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695013. 6. R.S.SASIKALA, ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, THRIKKADAVOOR DEVASWOM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT AMOADI, NEAR VEENUS COLLEGE, S.N.COLLEGE JUNCTION, MUNDAKKAL, KOLLAM-691010. 7. N.YESODHARAN, DIVISIONAL ACCOUNTANT, C.E.OFFICE, TRIVANDRUM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT MAKOM, T.C.30/578-2, S.N.NAGAR, HOUSE NO.155, PETTAH, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695024. W.P.(C) 27059 OF 2011 :2: 8. G.S.RADHAKRISHNAN, DIVISIONAL ACCOUNTANT, C.E. OFFICE, TRIVANDRUM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT MANGALAM, T.C.42/162, M.R.A.109, MANACAUD P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695009. 9. R.SREEKANTAN NAIR, ASSISTANT ENGINEER (NON-CADER), ASST. ENGINEER OFFICE, NEYYATTINKARA (RETD.), NOW RESIDING AT SREEMANGALAM, PONGUMMOODU, KUVALASSERY P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695512. 10. K.PADMAKUMAR, JUNIOR SUPERINTENDENT, EXECUTIVE OFFICE, SABARIMALA (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT SABARI, PERUMPAZHUTHUR P.O., NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695126. 11. N.RAJENDRAN, HIGHER GRADE SUB-GROUP OFFICER, VETTIKAVILA DEVASWAM, KOTTARAKKARA GROUP (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT ATTUKADAVU, MELATHIL VEEDU, FORT, NETTAYINKARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695121. 12. K.SARALADEVI AMMA, FAIR COPY SUPERINTENDENT, DC'S OFFICE (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT THAZHATHUKUNNU VEEDU, MUDAVANMUGAL, POOJAPPURA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695012. 13. R.RAGINI, U.D.TYPIST, DEVASWAM BOARD OFFICE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT VAYAKKAL PUTHEN VEEDU, ANAYARA P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695029. 14. P.N.VIJAYAN NAIR, U.D.CLERK, AUDIT OFFICE, ALWAYE (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT PRASANNA BHAVANAM, NEAR KATTUNGAL TEMPLE, PIRAROOR P.O., KALADY-683574. 15. P.D.REGHU KUMAR, A.O., ETTUMANOOR DEVASWAM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT LAKATH HOUSE, MEENADAM P.O., KOTTAYAM-686516. 16. K.M.AYSHA, SELECTION GRADE TYPIST, AC OFFICE, KOTTAYAM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT KULANGARA VELIYIL, ETTUMANOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM-686638. W.P.(c) 27059 OF 2011 :3: 17. E.R.SASINDRAN, U.D.CLERK, AC OFFICE, ETTUMANOOR (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT SREEHARI, VELIYEMMOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM-686638. 18. M.R.RAJENDRA PRASAD, AUDIT OFFICER, ALWAYE (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT RAHUL NIVAS, PARAMPUZHA P.O., KOTTAYAM-686032. 19. AGNISARMAM BHATTATHIRIPAD, AE, ALWAYE (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT MANAYATHITTA, KALAPPURAKKAL ILLAM, THALAYOLAPARAMBU P.O., KOTTAYAM-686605. 20. SUGATHAN, AE (N.C.), SDP OFFICE, CHENGANOOR, (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT VELLOOKAVIL, INDEEVARAM, KUNNAMTHANAM P.O., THIRUVALLA-689581. 21. V.G.GOPALAKRISHNAN WARRIER, HIGHER GRADE S.G.O., VAZHAPPALLY DEVASWAM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT VADAKKEDATHU VARRIAM, VAKATHANAM P.O., KOTTAYAM-686538. 22. E.DAMODHARAN POTTI, A.O., THIRUVANAKKARA DEVASWAM, KOTTAYAM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT KARIPPATTUMADOM, THIRUVANDOOR P.O., KOTTAYAM-689109. 23. A.K.RAMA PISHARADY, SPECIAL GRADE SGO, KADUTHURUTHY DEVASWAM, ETTUMANOOR GROUP (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT SREE RAGOM, EAST NADA, ETTUMANOOR, KOTTAYAM-686631. 24. P.E.RAJEEVAN, A.O., ALWAYE DEVASWAM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT PALLAVI, THIRUMARADI P.O., KUTHATTUKULAM, PIN-686687. 25. N.SOMARAJAN, JUNIORO ENGINEER, AE OFFICE, PAMPA (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT PETTAYIL HOUSE, VALLALCODE P.O., PUNALOOR-691331. W.P.(c) 27059 OF 2011 :4: 26. V.S.SALIJA, ASST. DEVASWAM ACCOUNTS OFFICER, AMBALAPUZHA (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT CIMILAND, KULANADA P.O., PANDALAM-689503. 27. G.UNNIKRISHNAN NAIR, ASST. ENGINEER, PUNALOOR, (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT PRANAVAM, E.T.C. P.O., KOTTARAKKARA-691531. 28. G.KARUNAKARAN NAIR, PEON, ASST. ACCOUNTS OFFICE, KOTTARAKKARA (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT KAMALODHAYAM, ANAKKOTTOOR P.O., KOTTARAKKARA-691505. 29. R.MURALEEDHARAN, HIGHER GRADE S.G.O., MANNADI DEVASWAM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT PRANAVAM, NEELESWARAM P.O., KOTTARAKKARA. 30. P.SREEDHARAN, SUB GROUP OFFICER, POREDAM DEVASWAM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT PANCHAJANYAM, ASURAMANGALAM, OZHUKUDARACKAL P.O., AYOOR, KOLLAM-691533. 31. K.LALITHA KUMARI AMMA, DY.DEVASWAM COMMISSIONER, TRIVANDRUM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT JYOTHI NILAYAM, KARIMPIN PUZHA, KOTTARAKKARA, KOLLAM-691513. 32. VENUGOPALAN NAIR O., HIGHER GRADE PEON, A.C.OFFICE, PUNALOOR (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT RENUKA BHAVAN, KARAYALARTHOTTAM, ARYANKAVU P.O., KOLLAM-691316. 33. S.REMESAN POTTY, IST GRADE SGO, MITHRANANDHAPURAM DEVASWAM, TRIVANDRUM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT KUNNIL VEEDU, KARUMOM E.P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695002. 34. V.K.JAYAN NAIR, HIGHER GRADE PEON, DY.DC OFFICE, TRIVANDRUM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT KANJIRATHALA VEEDU, THIRUVALLOM P.O., THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695027. W.P.(c) 27059 OF 2011 :5: 35. G.SUMATHI AMMA, JUNIOR SUPERINTENDENT, DC OFFICE, TRIVANDRUM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT PALAKKATTU MADOM, ANCHUKALLUMMOODU, THIRUMULLAVARAM P.O., KOLLAM-691O12. 36. P.SHYALAJA KUMARI, J.S., DC OFFICE, TRIVANDRUM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT SREE RAMA MANDIRAM, THEKKEVILA P.O., KOLLAM-691016. 37. M.K.SIVASANKARA PILLAI, SPL.GR.SGO, PADANAYARKULANGARA DEVASWAM, KARUNAGAPPALLY (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT ANANDA VILASOM BUNGLOW, CHITTAYAM, PANAYAM P.O., PERINADU, KOLLAM-691601. 38. B.GOPAKUMARA PILLAI, J.S., C.E.OFFICE, TRIVANDRUM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT PADMA VILASOM, PUTHUKADU P.O., CHAVARA, KOLLAM-691583. 39. C.P.PRIYADARSINI AMMA, ASST. DEVASWAM ACCOUNTS OFFICER, D.A.Q.OFFICE, TRIVANDRUM (RETD.) TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT KALATHIL VEEDU, KALLELI BHAGAM P.O., KARUNAGAPPALLY-690546. 40. K.JAYAPAL, HIGHER GRADE PEON, A.C.OFFICE, MAVELIKKARA (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT J.R.NIVAS, CHOOLATHERUVU P.O., MUTHUKULAM, ALAPPUZHA-690506. 41. A.DEVANAND, SUB GROUP OFFICER, THRIPPAKURLAM DEVASWAM, MAVELIKKARA (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT VINNIL, MALAMEL BHAGOM, KAREELAKULANGARA P.O., ALAPPUZHA-690572. 42. R.RAVEENDRANM, AYAMKOICKAL DEVASWAM, AMBALAPUZHA (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT SREEVARAM, EVOOR NORTH, EVOOR P.O., CHEPPAD, ALAPPUZHA-690553. 43. N.MANOHARAN NAIR, S.G.O., OMALOOR DEVASWAM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT THENDATHETHU VEEDU, CHEPPAD P.O., MUTHUKULAM NORTH, ALAPUZHA-690507. W.P.(c) 27059 OF 2011 :6: 44. O.VIJAYAMMA PILLAI, J.S.ETTU AC'S OFFICE (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT KARAKKATTU KRISHNA, KRIPA, PALLIKKAL P.O., KAVAMKULAM-690503. 45. K.SASIDHARAN NAMBIATHIRI, U.D.CLERK, AC'S OFFICE, KARUNAGAPPALLY (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT PUTHENMADOM, KADUVINAL P.O., VALLIKKUNNAM, PIN-690501. 46. N.RAJAGOPALAN POTTY, L.D.C., AC OFFICE, KARUNGAPPALLY (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT CHARUVIL KIZHAKKE MADOM, KANATHARKUNNAM, KARALI JUNCTION P.O., KALLADA-690 543. 47. RADHAKRISHNA PILLAI R., S.G.O., ADOOR DEVASWAM (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT KALATHIL, PULIYOOR VANCHI (EAST), THAZHAVA P.O., KARUNAGAPPALLY-690523. 48. P.RADHAKRISHNA PILLAI, S.G.O., PANDAVARKAVU (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT KOTTAKKATTU, MUTHUKULAM NORTH, MUTHUKULAM P.O., ALAPPUZHA-690560. 49. K.RAGOPALA PILLAI, U.D.C., A.C.OFFICE, ULLOOR (RETD.), TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NOW RESIDING AT KRISHNALAYAM, KUNNAM, ALAPPUZHA-690108. BY ADV. MR. V.CHITAMBARESH, SENIOR ADVOCATE MR. JIBU P THOMAS MR. P.S.APPU MR. A.R.NIMOD MR. C.A.ANOOP MR. T.C.SURESH MENON RESPONDENTS: --------------- 1. TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, REP. BY ITS SECRETARY, NANTHENCODE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695003. 2. THE DEVASWAM COMMISSIONER, TRANVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NANTHENCODE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695003. W.P.(c) 27059 OF 2011 :7: 3. THE ACCOUNTS OFFICER, DEVASWAM ACCOUNTS OFFICE, TRAVANCORE DEVASWAM BOARD, NANTHENCODE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, PIN-695003. R1 TO R3 BY ADV. MR. G.BIJU THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 03/11/2011, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: W.P.(C) NO. 27059 OF 2011 APPENDIX PETITIONER(S) EXHIBITS EXT.P1 TRUE COPY OF THE LIST GIVING THE PARTICULARS OF THE PETITIONERS DATED NIL. EXT.P2 TRUE COPY OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD DATED 1/7/2011. EXT.P3 TRUE COPY OF THE REPLY ELICITED FROM THE BOARD UNDER THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT DATED 29/11/2010. EXT.P4 TRUE COPY OF THE REPRESENTATION SUBMITTED BY SOME OF THE EMPLOYEES TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD DATED 11/8/2011. EXT.P5 TRUE COPY OF THE LETTER ADDRESSED BY THE THIRD RESPONDENT TO THE FIRST RESPONDENT DATED 22/8/2011. RESPONDENTS' EXHIBITS /TRUE COPY/ P.A. TO JUDGE P.R. RAMACHANDRA MENON J. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ W.P (C) No. 27059 of 2011 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dated, this the 3rd day of November, 2011 JUDGMENT The petitioners have approached this Court with the following prayers : (i) call for the records leading to the issue of Ext. P2 and quash clauses 2,1,5 and thereof in so far as it confines to revised retiral benefits only to those who retired from service from the Board on or after 01.07.2011; (ii) issue a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents to disburse the revise pension commutation, revised Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity and revised terminal leave surrender allowance to the petitioners. (iii) issue a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the first respondent to consider Ext. P4 on merits expeditiously in the wake of Ext. P5 after affording to the petitioners a reasonable opportunity of being hear in the matter. (iv) declare that the petitioners are also entitled to the revised retiral benefits consequent on the revised pay fixation order issued with effect from 01.07.2009 especially when it is dependent on the last pay drawn by them; (v) declare that the fixation of cut off date as 01.07.2011 for disbursal of revised retiral benefits is irrational and arbitrary especially when the Board is flus with funds to pay all retirees alike as is reflected in Ext. P5 and (vi) issue such other writ, order or direction as this honourable court deems fit and proper in the circumstances of the case. W.P. (C) No. 27059 of 2011 : 2 : 2. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the grievance of the petitioners has already been projected in Ext. P4 representation, which is pending consideration before the first respondent and that the petitioners will be satisfied, if a direction is given to the said respondent to have it considered and disposed of within a reasonable time. 3. Heard the learned standing counsel appearing for the respondent Board as well. 4. Considering the limited nature of relief sought for, this Court finds that no fact adjudication is necessary. The Writ Petition is disposed of directing the first respondent to consider and pass appropriate orders on Ext. P4 in accordance with law, after issuing notice to any one of the petitioners in their representative capacity, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate within two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. The petitioners shall produce a copy of this judgment along with copy of the Writ Petition and also the address of one of the petitioners to whom the notice is to be issued, before the first respondent for further steps. Sd/- P. R. RAMACHANDRA MENON, JUDGE kmd