EARTH TRUST Vs. ASSISTANT PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The above writ petition has been filed against the order passed by the first respondent dated 21.12.2018 assessing the damages payable at Rs.67,222/-, under the provisions of the Employees' Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act,1952.

(2.) When the matter is taken up for hearing, the learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that the petitioner is a Trust and they are not financially sound and therefore, they are unable to comply with the assessment of damages by the first respondent immediately. According to the learned counsel, if reasonable time is given, the petitioner Trust would be in a position to comply with the impugned order. The learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that 18 months' time may be given so as to enable the petitioner to comply with the impugned order passed by the first respondent.

(3.) At this stage, the learned counsel appearing for the respondents would object to such a long time to be given to the petitioner Trust, since the damage assessed is only a meager amount.