C SUBRAMANIAN Vs. KERALA AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THESE writ petitions are filed by retired employees of the Kerala Agricultural University. Their grievance in these writ petitions is that retirement benefits due to the petitioners have not yet been disbursed.

(2.) I have heard the learned Standing Counsel for the University also. The eligibility of the petitioners for receiving retirement benefits is not disputed before me. The only contention raised by the University is regarding paucity of funds and that unless the Government provides funds to the University, it may not be possible to pay the benefits due to the petitioners. I do not think that on account of alleged paucity of funds, payment of retirement benefits due to retired employees can be postponed indefinitely insofar as the retirement benefits are the only means of sustenance of these retired employees. The learned Standing Counsel for the University seeks six months' time for payment. I am of opinion that three months would be a reasonable time for the same in the circumstances. Accordingly, these writ petitions are disposed of with a direction to the University and the Government to see that the retirement benefits due to the petitioners are disbursed, as expeditiously as possible, at any rate within three months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment.