Karnataka

StateCommission

A/2369/2016

The Assistant Provident Fund Commissione - Complainant(s)

Versus

Sri. Veerabhadrappa - Opp.Party(s)

Nandita Haldipur

19 Jun 2023

ORDER

                       Date of Filing:21.09/2016

                                  Date of Disposal:19.06.2023

 

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

 

DATED:19.06.2023

 

PRESENT

 

HON’BLE Mr JUSTICE HULUVADI G RAMESH : PRESIDENT

 

 

APPEAL Nos.2367/2016 to 2391/2016

 

The Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner
Sub Regional Office,

2^nd Floor, Garaladinni Complex,

Sath Kacheri Road,

Raichur-584 101.
(By Mrs Nandita Haldipur, Advocate)                                           Appellant

(Appellant is same in all the Appeals)                                                                                                

                -Versus-

 

1.Appeal No.2367/2016

1.Mr Doddayya

    S/o Mr SiddayyaSonad
    Aged :63 Years,

    R/o Near ZP Office

    Tq : Lingasugur,

    District : Raichur                

    (By Mr Yogesh L Hiremath, Advocate)

 

2. The Divisional Controller
    NEKRTC

    Raichur Division,

    Divisional Office,

    Raichur.                                                                        Respondents

    (By Mrs Ratna N Shivayogimath, Advocate)

 

2.Appeal No.2368/2016

   1. Mr Sangappa

       S/o Mr ThippannaGanjihal
       Aged :63 Years,

       R/o Sector No.12,

       Plot No.84,

       Navanagar,

       Bagalkot Tq & District

   2. The General Manager,
       M/s Hutti Gold Mines Co Ltd.,

       Tq:Kubgasugur,

       District Raichur.                                                       Respondents

 

3. Appeal No.2369/2016

 1. Mr. Veerabhadrappa
     S/o Mr Moulappa Javalageri

     Aged:62 years,

     R/o Gejjalagatta,

     Tq : Lingasugur,

     District Raichur

 

2. The General Manager,
    M/s Hutti Gold Mines Co Ltd.,

    Tq : Kubgasugur,

    District Raichur                                                          Respondents

 

4.Appeal No.2370/2016

1. Mr Bhujangappa
    S/o Mr Chandappa Talli,

    Aged: 65 years,

    Occ: Retired

    NEKRTC Employee,

    R/o Swami Vivekananda Nagar,

    Taluk:Lingsugur,

    District Raichur.

 

2. The Divisional Controller,
    NEKRTC Raichur Division,

    Divisional Office,

    Raichur

    (By Mrs Ratna N Shivayogimath, Advocate)                 Respondents

                                     

5.Appeal No.2371/2016

1. Mr Basangouda

    S/o Mr Sidramappa
    Aged:65 Years,

    R/o Ichanal,

    Tq : Lingasugur,

    District Raichur.

    (By Mr Yogesh L Hiremath, Advocate)

 

2. The Divisional Controller,
    NEKRTC Raichur Division,

    Divisional Office, Raichur.

    (By Mrs Ratna N Shivayogimath, Advocate)                 Respondents

6.Appeal No.2372/2016

1. Mr Hampaiah Apral
    Aged:65 Years,

    R/o Thwappet,

    Near Rajamma's Hospital,

    Raichur.

 

2. The Resident Engineer,
    M/s Karnataka State Construction Co Ltd.,

    Dr Amarkhed Building,

    1^stFloor, Nijalingappa Colony,

    District Raichur.                                                          Respondents

 

7.Appeal No.2373/2016

   1. Mr Thotappa Basappa Chinnivar
       (Since Deceased)

       Rep. by his Legal Heir,

       Smt Shantha

       W/o Late Thotappa Basappa Chinnivar,

       Aged:53 years,

       Extension Area, Bagalkot

       (By Mr Yogesh L Hiremath, Advocate)

 

  2. The General Manager,
      M/s Hutti Gold Mines Co Ltd.,

      Tq:Kubgasugur,

      District Raichur.                                                         Respondents

 

8.Appeal No.2374/2016

1. Mr Shaik Mohammed

    S/o Mr Umarsab
    Aged:63 years,

    R/o No.9 Jalahalli,

    Tq: Deodurga,

    District Raichur.

    (By Mr Yogesh L Hiremath, Advocate)

 

2. The Divisional Controller,
    NEKRTC

    Raichur Division,

    Divisional Office,

    Raichur

    (By Mrs Ratna N Shivayogimath, Advocate)             Respondents

 

9.Appeal No.2375/2016

1. Mr Amrappa

    S/o MrThimappa
    Aged: 58 years

    R/o Gejjalagatta

    Tq : Lingasugur

    District Raichur

    (By Mr Yogesh L Hiremath, Advocate)

 

2. The General Manager,
    M/s Hutti Gold Mines Co Ltd.,

    Tq:Kubgasugur,

    District Raichur                                                           Respondents

 

10. Appeal No.2376/2016

1. Mr Amarayya

    S/o MrShivalingayya
    Aged:70 Years,

    R/o Hutti Village,

    Tq: Lingasugur,

    District Raichur.

 

2. The Divisional Controller,
    NEKRTC

    Raichur Division,

    Divisional Office,

    Raichur.

    (By Mrs Ratna N Shivayogimath, Advocate)               Respondents

 

11.Appeal No.2377/2016

1. Mr Adanagouda

    S/o MrAmarayyagouda

    Aged:63 years
    R/o Ichanai Village,

    Tq:Lingasugur,

    District Raichur.

    (By Mr Yogesh L Hiremath, Advocate)

 

2. The Divisional Controller,
    NEKRTC Raichur Division,

    Divisional Office,

    Raichur Raichur.

    (By Mrs Ratna N Shivayogimath, Advocate)                  Respondents

 

12.Appeal No.2378/2016

1. Mr Narashimalu.
    Age: 61 years,

    R/o ENG-13

    Gandhi MaidanaHutti Village,

    Tq : Lingasugur,

    District: Raichur.

    (By Mr Yogesh L Hiremath, Advocate)

2. The Divisional Controller,
    NEKRTC Raichur Division,

    Divisional Office,

    Raichur,

    (By Mrs Ratna N Shivayogimath, Advocate)               Respondents

 

13.Appeal No.2379/2016

1. Mr Narasingappa

    S/o Mr Fakeerappa
    Aged:65 Years,

    R/o GejjalagattaHutti,

    Tq:Lingasugur,

    District Raichur.

    (By Mr Yogesh L Hiremath, Advocate)

 

2. The General Manager,
    M/s Hutti Gold Mines Co Ltd.,

    Tq:Kubgasugur,

    District Raichur                                                       Respondents

 

14.Appeal No.2380/2016

1. Mr Shekarappa

    S/o MrAmarappa
    Aged : 64 years,

    R/o H No 6/15

    JETM Line A/P Hutti,

    Tq:Lingasugur,

    District Raichur.

    (By Mr Yogesh L Hiremath, Advocate)

 

2. The General Manager,
    M/s Hutti Gold Mines Co Ltd.,

    Tq Kabgasugur,

    District Raichur                                                Respondents

 

15.Appeal No.2381/2016

1. Mr Ramappa

    S/o Mr Veerabhadrappa.
    Aged:64 years,

    Occ: Retired Employee of

    M/s Hutti Gold Mines Co Ltd.,

    Hutti,

    R/o G.R.Colony 15/1,

    A/P Hutti Camp,

    Taluk Lingsugur,

    District Raichur.

 

2. The General Manager,
    M/s Hutti Gold Mines Co Ltd.,

    Tq :Lingsugur,

    District Raichur.                                               Respondents

 

16. Appeal No.2382/2016

1. Mr Basanna

    S/o Mr Sangappa
    Aged : 65 years,

    R/o Basavanagar,

    Raichur Main Road

    Hutti Village,

    Tq:Lingasugur,

    District Raichur.

 

2. The General Manager,
    M/s Hutti Gold Mines Co Ltd.,

    Tq:Kubgasugur,

    District Raichur.                                                        Respondents

 

17.Appeal No.2383/2016

1. Mr Karashalappa

    S/o MrDevendrappa .
    Aged: 61 years,

    R/o Kota

    Tq: Lingasugur,

    District Raichur

    (By Mr Yogesh L Hiremath, Advocate)

 

2. The General Manager,
    M/s Hutti Gold Mines CoLtd.,

    Tq: Kubgasugur,

    District Raichur                                                        Respondents

 

18.Appeal No.2384/2016

1. Mr Bhimrao

    S/o Mr Kristarao Patil
    Aged : 63 Years,

    R/o 7^th Cross,

    Vidyagiri Tq&

    District Bagalkot.

    (By Mr Yogesh L Hiremath, Advocate)

 

2. The General Manager,
    M/s Hutti Gold Mines Co Ltd.,

    Tq:Kubgasugur,

    District Raichur                                                     Respondents

 

19.Appeal No.2385/2016

1. Mr Hanumantha
    Aged : 65 Years,

    R/o Ambedkar Nagar

    A/P Hutti,

    Tq:Lingasugur,

    District Raichur

 

2. The General Manager,
    M/s Hutti Gold Mines Co Ltd.,

    Tq:Kubgasugur,

    District Raichur.                                                      Respondents

 

20.Appeal No.2386/2016

1. Mr Rangappa

    S/o Mr Bhimappa
    Aged:74 years

    R/o Q NoMECH-25

    HGM Co. Ltd.,

    PO Hutti Tq:Lingasugur,

    District Raichur.

 

2. The General Manager,
    M/s Hutti Gold Mines Co Ltd.,

    Tq :Kubgasugur,

    District Raichur.                                                        Respondents

 

21.Appeal No.2387/2016

1. Mr Basanna

    S/o MrMallayya
    Aged :61 Years,

    R/o Sindhanoor,

    District Raichur.

 

2. The Divisional Controller,
    NEKRTC

    Raichur Division,

    Divisional Office,

    Raichur

    (By Mrs Ratna N Shivayogimath, Advocate)               Respondents

 

22.Appeal No.2388/2016

1. Mr Sharanappa

    S/o MrSangappa
    Aged: 68 Years,

    R/o Renuka Nilaya Gurugunta Road,

    Lingasugur,

    District Raichur.

    (By Mr Yogesh L Hiremath, Advocate)

2. The Divisional Controller,
    NEKRTC Raichur Division,

    Divisional Office,

    Raichur

    (By Mrs Ratna N Shivayogimath, Advocate)               Respondents

 

23.Appeal No.2389/2016

1. Mr Siddayya

    S/o Mr Virithayya
    Aged :64 years,

    R/o G R Colony,

    16/14 HGM Company Ltd.,

    Hutti Tq:Lingasugur,

    District Raichur.

   (By Mr Yogesh L Hiremath, Advocate)

 

2. The General Manager,
    M/s Hutti Gold Mines Co Ltd.,

    Tq:Kubgasugur,

    District Raichur                                                    Respondents

 

24.Appeal No.2390/2016

1. Mr Khajasab

    S/o Mr Chandasab
    Aged :68 years,

    R/o HNo.2/8/195/34

    Near Mother Tank,

    Behind MLA House,

    Lingasugur.

   (By Mr Yogesh L Hiremath, Advocate)

 

2. The General Manager,
    M/s Hutti Gold Mines Co Ltd.,

    Tq:Kubgasugur,

    District Raichur.                                                    Respondents

 

25.Appeal No.2391/2016

1. Mr K.V. Vivekananda

    S/o MrVishwanatharao
    Aged :64 years,

    R/o Old Age Home of

    Shri Swamy Deshikendra

    Sutturmath At Suttur,

    Tq:Nanjanagud,

    District Mysore.

 

2. The Divisional Controller,
    NEKRTC Raichur Division,

    Divisional Office,

    Raichur, Raichur.                                                      Respondents

    (By Mrs Ratna N Shivayogimath, Advocate)

 

                                      :COMMON ORDER:

 

Mr JUSTICE HULUVADI G RAMESH : PRESIDENT

 

1.       These Appeals are filed under Section 15 of Consumer Protection Act 1986 by the OP, aggrieved by the Order dated 08.08.2016 passed in Consumer Complaint Nos.18, 19, 20, 27, 22, 23, 21, 28, 25, 24, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 43, 38, 42, 74, 75 and 76/2015 respectively on the file of District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Raichur (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.       Heard the arguments of the Learned Counsels on record. On Perusal of the records, it reveals that the Notice issued to the Respondents in Appeal Nos.2376, 2381 and 2387/2016 were returned un-served and no further needful steps have been taken by the Appellant. Taking into consideration of the vintage of the case and the age of the Respondents, as a special case, the service of Notice in these cases has been dispensed with to avoid further delay in redressal of the grievances of the Complainants/Respondents.

3.       In view of rival contentions of the parties to the Complaints, the District Forum after enquiring into the matters,  allowed the Complaints partly and directed the Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner/OP1, Raichur to re-calculate the pension payable to the respective Complainants, by giving weightage of two years and also extend minimum assured benefits, both in respect of past and present service, with effect from the date of retirement of each of the Complainants, along with arrears of Pension, with interest @ 8% p.a from the respective dates the amounts fell due, till realisation.   Further directed the OP1 to pay annual relief as per Para 32 of the EPS 1995 from the respective due dates, along with interest at the rate of 8% p.a, with Rs.5,000/- to each of the Complainants towards pain and sufferings and also their litigation expenses etc., Further dismissed the Complaints as against OP2/Employer.

 

4.  Aggrieved by this Order, OP1/Assistant Provident Fund Commissioner is in Appeal, inter-alia contending amongst other grounds contending that two years of weightage has been granted and arrears have been paid to the Respondents.   Further, Appellant contends that none of the Respondents are entitled for the minimum assured pension, as their pension is more than that of the minimum pension fixed. With regard to annual relief to the Respondents in these cases, it cannot be granted by the Appellant, since the same has to be granted by the Central Government.  Thus, the Appellant seeks to set aside the Impugned Order by allowing the Appeals.

 

5.       Perused the Impugned Order and grounds of Appeal. The observation of the District Forum in Para 18 of the Impugned Order that all the Respondents are retiring after attaining the age superannuation of 58 years and having put in 20 years of eligible service, are entitled for Monthly Pension as per Para 12 of EPS 1995. Further, the District Forum in Para 20 and 25 observes that, as per the provisions of the scheme, the respective Complainants have paid contributions every month throughout their service and OP1 has collected the contributions for more than 20 years.  Therefore, the Complainants have a right to claim the benefits as per the terms of the scheme. The District Forum by considering the submission of OP1 that they had granted two years weightage and arrears has been paid to the Respondents in consumer complaint No.19, 21, 22, 24, 27, 32, 33, 36, 42, 43 and 75/2016 directed OP1 to deduct whatever the amount paid to them in above cases while paying arrears of pension and other benefits.  However, by considering the age of the complainants and also the inconvenience caused to them over all these years, directed the OP1 to pay interest at the rate of 8% p.a, on arrears of pension from the respective dates the amount fell due and as global compensation Rs.5,000/- to each of the Complainants for their pain, sufferings and in conveniences caused to them along with litigation charges.

 

6.       During the course of arguments, the counsel for the Appellant filed synopsis of arguments in these Appeals submitted that they have granted weightage of two years and paid the arrears to the all the Respondents, except the Respondents in Appeal No.2367 & 2375/2016, as there is no change in the quantum of pension amount payable, even after granting weightage of two years. The Respondents in Appeal Nos.2374/2016 & 2377/2016 are not eligible for weightage of two years, since their past and present service is less than 20 years. 

 

7.       Be that as it may, the fact that the Complainants were the member of Employees Provident Fund Organisation and contributed their contributions to the Employees Family Pension Scheme of 1971 and subsequently, continued to contribute to the Employees Pension Scheme of 1995.  Since the Complainants have retired from their service on superannuation by rendering pensionable service of 20 years, they are entitled to claim the benefits as per the terms of the EPS 1995.  In so far as annual relief sought under Para 32 of the EP Scheme by the complainants, it is noticed that such relief can be granted by the Central Government to each of the parties not by the OP. It is observes that the Appellant has not produced any documentary support in respect of any of the averments made. Therefore, we find that the Impugned Order passed by the District Forum is sustainable and the same does not call for any interference.  Accordingly, Appeal Nos.2367/2016 to 2391/2016 stands dismissed by confirming the order dated 08.08.2016 passed in Consumer Complaint Nos.18, 19, 20, 27, 22, 23, 21, 28, 25, 24, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 43, 38, 42, 74, 75 and 76/2015 respectively of the District Forum, Raichur.

         

8.       The statutory deposit in all these Appeals is directed to be transferred to the District Commission for further needful.

9.       Keep the Original of this Order in Appeal No.2367/2016 and copy thereof, in rest of the Appeals.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

                                                         

 

                                                                          President

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