IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.K.DENESAN FRIDAY, THE 19TH JANUARY 2007 / 29TH PAUSHA 1928 WP(C).No. 2300 of 2007(W) ------------------------- PETITIONER: ------------ V.V.NARAYANAN POTTY, VETTILAYATHU ILLOM, THOTTABHAGOM P.O., THIRUVALLA. BY ADV. SRI.P.V.LONACHAN SRI.P.G.PRESANNAKUMAR RESPONDENTS: ------------- 1. DEVASWOM COMMISSIONER, TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD OFFICE, NANTHANCODE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-3. 2. DEVASWOM ACCOUNTS OFFICER, TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD, TRAVANCORE DEVASWOM BOARD OFFICE, NANTHANCODE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-3. 3. ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER, THIRUVALLA DEVASWOM GROUP, A.C.OFFICE, MATHILBHAGOM, THIRUVALLA. BY SC SHRI. ANCHAL C.VIJAYAN THIS WRIT PETITION (CIVIL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 19/01/2007, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: K.K. DENESAN, J. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = W.P.(C) No. 2300 OF 2007 W = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Dated this the 19th January, 2007 J U D G M E N T Heard both sides. 2. Counsel for the petitioner submits that the grievance of the petitioner will stand redressed, as matters now stand, if the 1st respondent is directed to take immediate decision on Ext. P4 representation pending before it. 3. The petitioner retired from the service of the Board after rendering service for 22 years. His retirement and other service benefits are due to be paid. The petitioner is not informed as to why the payment of terminal benefits is delayed. The respondents have laid down certain norms for the guidance of the subordinate officers for early settlement of the benefits due to retired employees. But those norms are observed by their breach than by their implementation. It is in the above circumstances, the petitioner has filed Ext. P4 WPC No.2300 /2007 -2- representation before the 1st respondent on 15-7-2006 requesting to pass orders determining the terminal benefits due to him including monthly pension, gratuity, provident fund and other service benefits like arrears of salary, increment, higher grade, etc. No decision has been taken by the 1st respondent on Ext. P4. No relief also has been granted to the petitioner. As rightly submitted by counsel for the petitioner, the respondents have got a legal duty to settle the claim of the petitioner without delay. 4. In the above circumstances, there shall be an order directing the 1st respondent to consider Ext. P4, determine the terminal benefits and other service benefits due to him, communicate the order and disburse the amounts due, as expeditiously as possible, in any event, within two months from the date of receipt of a copy of the judgment. 5. The petitioner has made a request for payment of interest for the delay caused. The claim for interest also shall be considered by the 1st respondent and appropriate decision taken. The petitioner shall produce a copy of the WPC No.2300 /2007 -3- judgment before the 1st respondent for information and compliance. K.K. DENESAN JUDGE jan/