Date of Filing :14.10.2016

Date of Disposal : 18.01.2023

BEFORE THE KARNATAKA STATE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION, BENGALURU (PRINCIPAL BENCH)

DATED:18.01.2023

PRESENT

HON’BLE Mr JUSTICE HULUVADI G RAMESH : PRESIDENT

Mrs DIVYASHREE M: LADY MEMBER

APPEAL Nos.2711/2016 to 2736/2016

The Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner
Employees Provident Fund Organisation
Sub Regional Office,
New Block No.10,
Behind Income Tax Office,
Navanagar,
Hubli-580 025.                                                                  Appellant

(By Mrs Nandita Haldipur, Advocate

(Appellant is same in all the Appeals)

-Versus-

1. Appeal No.2711/2016

     Mr Appasaheb

     S/o Mr Jamburao Desai
     Aged about 73 years,
     R/at Padmvati Nivas
     At Post Haliyal
     District Karwar                                                         Respondent

2. Appeal No.2712/2016

     Mr Mahammad Hanif

     S/o Mr Hasansaheb Kaginelli
     Age : 62 years,

     Occ : Retired Employee
     Near Devardar Hospital Road,
     Kolkar Oni,
     At Post : Haveri District
     Haveri.                                                                       Respondent 

3. Appeal No.2713/2016

    Mr Kristappa

    S/o Mr Rangappa Dandagi
    Aged about 76 years,
    R/at Ramapur Site
    Near Khadi Bhandar
    Gurlhosur, Savadatti
    District Belgaum

    (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                  Respondent 

4. Appeal No.2714/2016

     Mr Manohar

     S/o Mr Sidramappa Jigajini
     Age : 77 years,
     R/o House # 1987,
     Kore Galli, Shahapur,
     Tq & District Tilakwadi,
     Belgaum.

     (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                 Respondent 

5. Appeal No.2715/2016

     Mr Ashok

     S/o Mr Anantarao Deshapande
     Aged about 68 years,
     R/at 80/B, Panta Nagar,
     Balekundri Post,
     Belgaum Taluk & District.                                        Respondent 

6. Appeal No.2716/2016

1. Smt. Shantala

    W/o Hanamantha Deshapande
    Aged about 59 years,
    R/at Bellad Bagewadi Post
    Hukkeri Taluk
    Belagavi District

2.  Smt. Shreya

     W/o Mr Sharad Inamdar
     Aged 29 years,
     R/at Bastawad Post
     Shirol Taluk
     Kolhapur District.
     
3.  Smt. Deepa

     W/o Mr Shriram Badamikar
     Aged about 27 years,
     R/at Near Hanuman Temple
     Rabkavi Post

     Jamakhandi Taluk
     Bagalkot District.

4.  Miss Archana

     D/o Mr Hanamanth Deshapande
     Aged about 24 years,
     R/at Bellad Post,

     Begewadi Taluk
     Hukkeri District,
     Belagavi.

     (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                 Respondents 

7. Appeal No.2717/2016

    Mr Vasant Shetty

    S/o Mr Laxman Shetty
    Age: 69 years,
    R/o At PO Ankola,
    Tq & District Karwar

    (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                  Respondent 

8. Appeal No.2718/2016

    Mr Fakkirayya

    S/o Mr Andanayya Kalmath
    Age : 65 years,
    R/o Behind Chandan School,
    Shigli Road,

    At Post Laxmeshwar,
    District Gadag.                                                        Respondent 

9. Appeal No.2719/2016

    Mr Chambanna

    S/o Mr Shanknarappa Singanalli
    Age : 62 years,
    R/o Somawarpeth,
    At Post : Kittur,

    Tq : Bailhongal,
    District Belgaum

    (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                  Respondent 

10. Appeal No.2720/2016

     Mr Chandrashekhar

     S/o Mr Kariyappa Kadakol
     Age : 66 years,
     R/o Behind Om Building,
     Gouri Shankar Nagar,
     Tq : Ranebennur, District Haveri.
     (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                  Respondent 

11. Appeal No.2721/2016

      Mr Basappa

      S/o Mr Demayya Bailur
      Age : 77 years,
      R/o # 11, 5th Cross

      Ajuam Nagar,
      Belgaum

      (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                Respondent

12. Appeal No.2722/2016

    Mr Basavaraj

    S/o Mr Basavanneppa Godachinmalki
    Age : 65 years,

    R/o CTS # 2017/A,
    Lakshmi Krupa,
    Near Siddeshwara Temple,
    Somawarpeth, Tq : Gokak,
    District Belgaum.

    (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                    Respondent 

13. Appeal No.2723/2016

     Mr Dastagirsab

     S/o Mr Bujaruksab Bogur,
     Age : 63 years,
     R/o Makan Mohalla,
     House # 402/2, Somwarpet, at
     Post Kittur, District
     Belgaum.

     (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                 Respondent 

14. Appeal No.2724/2016

    Mr Appasaheb

    S/o Mr Sidramappa Wantamutte
    Aged : 71 years,
    R/at Sector # 33,

    Plot No. 99,
    Shanthi Nagar,
    Tilakwadi, Belgaum                                                   Respondent 

15. Appeal No.2725/2016

     Mr Sharanabasappa

     S/o Mr Channappa Angadi
     Age : 63 years,
     R/o Basav Sadan,
     Hosur, Hubli.

     (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                 Respondent 

16. Appeal No.2726/2016

     Mr Shrimanth

     S/o Mr Maruthi Chougala
     Age : 69 years,
     R/o Basaveshwar Nagar,
     At Post & Tq. Chikkodi,
     District Belgaum                                                     Respondent 

17. Appeal No.2727/2016

     Mr Basappa

     S/o Shivalingappa Sharaganavi
     Age : 60 years,
     R/o Sai Complex,
     Near Court Circle,

     Tq Hudderi,
     District Belgaum                                                      

     (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                 Respondent 

18. Appeal No.2728/2016

     Mr Neelapa

     S/o Mr Ningappa Godi
     Age : 64 years,
     R/o Gudur, Tq : Hungund,
     District Bagalkot

     (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                 Respondent 

19. Appeal No.2729/2016

     Mr Haroonshab

     S/o Mr Mohabubasab Walikar
     Age : 62 years,
     R/o Walkar Chawl, P B Road,
     Vidyanagar,

     At Po : Haveri,
     District Haveri.                                                          Respondent 

20. Appeal No.2730/2016

     Mr Anant

     S/o Mr Ramachandra Deshapande
     Aged about 67 years
     R/at # 177/B14,
     Near Chidambeshwar Temple,
     Vidyanagar,

     At Post : Gokak,
     District Belgaum

     (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                 Respondent 

21. Appeal No.2731/2016

     Mr Shivashankarappa

     S/o Gangappa Hatti
     Age 76 years,
     R/o At Po : Shirasangi,
     Tq : Saundatti,
     District Belgaum

     (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                 Respondent 

22. Appeal No.2732/2016

      Mr Rudrappa

      S/o Mr Balappa Hukkeri
      Age : 65 years,
      R/o At PO : Bailur,
      Tq : Bailhongal,
      District Belgaum

      (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                Respondent 

23. Appeal No.2733/2016

     Mr Narasimha

     S/o Mr Shivabatta Anigeri
     Aged about 77 years,
     R/at H.No. 625, 2nd Stage,
     Rani Channamma Nagar,
     Belgaum Taluk & District

     (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                 Respondent 

24. Appeal No.2734/2016

     Mr Mustak Ahmed

     S/o Mr Mohammed Husen Pachpur
     Aged about 66 years,
     R/at Plot # 34,

     Veerabhadra Nagar,
     2^nd Cross, Belgaum.

     (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                 Respondent 

25. Appeal No.2735/2016

     Mr Shrishail

     S/o Mr Ishwarappa Bilagi
     Age : 75 years,
     R/o P.No. 1030,
     Shrinagar, Durga Road,
     Tq & District Belgaum

     (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                 Respondent 

26. Appeal No.2736/2016

     Mr Muralidhar

     S/o Mr Namdev Jadhav
     Age : 66 years,
     R/o House # 286,

     Ambedkar Nagar,
     Tq & District Belgaum

     (By Mr S S Nagarale, Advocate)                                 Respondent

:COMMON ORDER:

Mr JUSTICE HULUVADI G RAMESH : PRESIDENT

1.       These Appeals are filed under Section 15 of Consumer Protection Act 1986 by OP, aggrieved by the Common Order dated 29.04.2016 passed in Complaint Nos.52/2016, 67/2016, 70/2016, 51/2016, 56/2016, 71/2016. 43/2016, 41/2016, 48/2016, 39/2016, 37/2016, 38/2016, 57/2016, 49/2016, 69/2016, 68/2016, 44/2016, 40/2016, 66/2016, 55/2016, 36/2016, 45/2016, 65/2016, 50/2016, 46/2016 and 42/2016 respectively, on the file of District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Dharwad (for short, the District Forum).Since the facts and law involved in all these cases are one and the same, they have been taken up together for consideration.

2.       Perused the Impugned Order, grounds of Appeal and heard the arguments of the learned counsel of Appellant and the Respondents in Appeal Nos.2713/2016, 2714/2016, 2715/2016, 2716/2018, 2717/2016, 2719/2016 to 2723/2016, 2725/2016, 2728/2016, 2730/2016 to 2736/2016. While, in Appeal Nos.2711/2016, 2712/2016, 2715/2016, 2718/2016, 2724/2016, 2726/2016, and 2729/2016 respectively, the Notices were duly served on the Respondents, but they remained absent.   Hence, their arguments in these Appeals are taken as heard.

3.       The grievance of the respective Complainants before the District Forum in their respective Complaints are that, OP while fixing their entitled Monthly Pensions, has not considered their past and present service by adding weightage of 2 years, hence they sought re-fixation of their Pensions, with arrears of pension amount, interest and cost of the litigation.

4.       The stand taken by the OP in his Version that the period of service will be considered only w.e.f 16.11.1995, hence, the complainants have not completed 20 years of pensionable service as such weighatage of two years has not been given and their previous service cannot be considered in fixing the pension amount

5.       The District Forum after enquiring into the matter in detail, deemed it fit to allow the Complaints in part and directed the OP/Respondent to re-fix the pension amount as per Rule 12(3) (a & b), 12(4) (a & b) and 12 (5) (a & b) and Read with Rule 10(2) of EPF 1995, directed that apart from re-fixing their Monthly Pensions from the date of their retirement and arrears of pension amount to be paid to each of the Complainants within two months from the date of receipt of the Order, also ordered for paying of Rs.1,000/- as cost and Rs.1,000/-  as compensation for mental agony in each of the case, failing which, the balance pension amount shall carry interest @ 9% p.a from the date of commencement of pension till its realisation.

6.       Feeling aggrieved by the Order, OP is in Appeal inter-alia contending amongst other grounds, that they have granted weightage of 2 years as per Para 10(2) of EPS 1995 and re-fixed the Monthly Pension of the respective Complainants/Respondents.   Further, the Learned Counsel for the Appellant, contended that the District Forum does not have jurisdiction to interpret any Rule/Law regarding payment of Pension to the respective Complainants/ Respondents herein and the directing calculation of pension by taking minimum pension for past service cannot be held to be deficiency in service and seeks to set aside the impugned order by dismissing the complaint.

7.       Let us examine the details of service particulars of each of the Complainant on record, which are as hereunder:

As per the contents of the above table and as per Para 10 (2) of EPS as it stood before 24.07.2009 the PF members are required to fulfil the condition of either attaining the age of 58 years or completion of pensionable service of 20 years, as on the date of retirement. Thus, except the Complainants in Appeal Nos.2712/2016 and 2725/2016, since all other Complainants have retired from their service earlier to 24.07.2009, they are entitled for weightage of 2 years, since they have complied with the condition as laid down in Para 10 (2) of EPS, as it stood before 24.07.2009.

Likewise, as per Para 10 (2) of EPS, as it stood after 24.07.2009, the PF Members are required to fulfil the condition of either attaining the age of 58 years and completion of pensionable service of 20 years as on the date of retirement. Thus, Complainants in Appeal Nos.2712/2016 and 2725/2016 having retired from their service after 24.07.2009, they are entitled for weightage of 2 years.

8.       With regard to the eligibility of Monthly Pension, it is seen that except the Complainants in Appeal No.2712/2016 and 2725/2016, all other Complainants have retired earlier to 15.06.2007 and hence, their Monthly Pension will have to be re-calculated as per Para 12 of EPS 1995, as it stood before 15.06.2007.  Similarly, Complainants in Appeal No.2712/2016 and 2725/2016 have retired after 15.06.2007 and hence, their Monthly Pension will have to be re-calculated as per Para 12 of EPS 1995, as it stood after 15.06.2007.

9.       It is not in dispute that the Complainant/Respondent in each of the case were employees of KSRTC, Spinning Mill, Gokak, Karnataka Co-operative Sugar Factory, JNMSC, Prabha Sugar, Gokak and BDCC Bank in different posts and during their service they contributed to the Employees Family Pension Scheme of 1995.   It is pertinent to note that, all the Complainants have retired between 1996 and 2011 and the Appellant had granted two years of weightage and revised the Monthly Pension of the Pensioners during the pendency of the case during the year 2016, belatedly and that too after the Complainants raising their grievances and in our considered opinion, certainly this act of Appellant amounts to deficiency in service and we don’t’ find any scope for interfering with the considered observation of the District Forum, in such circumstances, this Commission is of the considered opinion that, the District Forum awarding Rs.1,000/- as compensation for mental agony and Rs.1,000/- towards litigation costs to each of the Complainants, failing which, the arrears of Pension amount shall carry interest @ 9% p.a from the date of commencement of pension till its realisation is just and proper.  Accordingly, the Appeals stands Dismissed.

10.     The statutory deposits in all these Appeals is directed to be transferred to the District Forum for the needful.

11.     Keep the Original of this Order in Appeal No.2711/2016 and copy thereof, in rest of the Appeals.

12.     Send a copy of this Order to the District Commission as well as to the parties concerned, immediately.

                                                                        President

                                                                      Lady Member

*s