IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE A.K.BASHEER MONDAY, THE 6TH AUGUST 2007 / 15TH SRAVANA 1929 WP(C).No. 23836 of 2007(K) -------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------ SUDHA DEVI A. (RETIRED SELECTION GRADE LECTURER, S.N.COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, KOLLAM), "AROMA", JAWAHAR NAGAR, PATTATHANAM P.O., KOLLAM. BY ADV. SRI.S.SANTHOSH KUMAR RESPONDENTS: ------------- 1. THE DIRECTOR OF COLLEGIATE EDUCATION, VIKAS BHAVAN, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 2. DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF COLLEGIATE EDUCATION, KOLLAM. 3. THE ACCOUNTS OFFICER (PF), DIRECTORATE OF COLLEGIATE EDUCATION, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. 4. THE PRINCIPAL, SREE NARAYANA COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, KOLLAM. BY GOVT.PLEADER SRI.A.J.VARGHESE. THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 06/08/2007, ALONG WITH WPS.23837 & 23853/2007, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: A.K. Basheer, J. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - W.P(C) No. 23836, 23837 & 23853 of 2007 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dated this the 6th day of August, 2007. J U D G M E N T Petitioners in these three writ petitions are retired Selection Grade Lecturers. Their common grievance is that the amounts lying to the credit of their provident fund accounts with interest thereon are being withheld without any legal or valid reasons. Petitioners have placed on record a copy of the statement showing year-wise deposits made by each one of them in their respective accounts with the yearly rate of interest. According to the petitioners, the said statement has been forwarded by them to respondent No.1 along with Ext.P1 representation requesting for appropriate necessary action for immediate disbursement of the balance amount. It is pointed out by the learned counsel that in Ext.P2 communication issued from the office of respondent No.1, petitioners have been informed that the discrepancy or omission of one entry has been rectified. But learned counsel submits that the question of statutory interest payable has not been properly considered in the light of Statute 58 and other relevant rules and regulations. Anyhow, in the light of the limited prayer made by the learned counsel for the petitioners at the Bar I do not deem it necessary to deal with the contentions of the petitioners any further. Learned counsel submits that petitioners will be satisfied if an appropriate direction is issued to respondent No.1 to consider and pass orders on Ext.P1 and P1(a) Wps.23836,23837 23853/07 2 in the respective writ petitions expeditiously keeping in view the relevant statutory provisions. 2. In the above facts and circumstances these writ petitions are disposed of with a direction to respondent No.1 to consider Exts.P1 and P1(a) and pass orders thereon strictly on their merit and in accordance with law as expeditiously as possible at any rate within two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Needless to mention that respondent No.1 shall ensure that petitioners are afforded sufficient opportunity to be heard before any decision is taken in the matter. Petitioners shall produce copies of the writ petitions along with certified copy of the judgment before respondents No.1 for compliance. A.K. Basheer Judge. an.