R K SINGHAL Vs. ENGINEERING PROJECTS INDIA LIMITED

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Since the issues raised in the present three writ petitions are similar, I propose to dispose of all the three writ petitions by this common judgment and order.

(2.) The issue that falls for my consideration in these writ petitions is whether benefits of past service of the three petitioners with two other Public Sector Enterprises are to be given to them by the Engineering Projects (India) Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as EPIL) under its voluntary retirement scheme announced in January, 1993.' According to the petitioners, under para 6-3.1. of the said voluntary retirement scheme, these benefits were to be given to the petitioners since they had moved and joined EPIL with consent of one public sector enterprise to another. Since the issue raised requires interpretation of the provisions of para 6.3.1 of the voluntary retirement scheme, the said provisions are extracted hereinbelow:-

(4.) In order to appreciate the contentions raised on behalf of the parties, it would also be relevant to state certain background facts of the three writ petitions.