(1.) Alleging non-release of salary and allowances the petitioners have prayed for a writ in the nature of Mandamus commanding the respondents to release the same as well as making further payment of their monthly salaries till their superannuation and directing the respondents to release retiral benefits of the retired petitioners and for other reliefs.
(2.) The petitioners, 120 in number, are either serving or retired employees of M/s. Hindustan Cables Limited, a Government of India undertaking, i.e., the respondent no. 2 herein. They have alleged that the respondent no. 2 has not been making payment of their salaries and other allowances after attaining the age of 58 years though they continued or are continuing in service till attaining the age of 60 years. The age of retirement of the petitioners is 60 years and superannuation notices have also been issued to retiring employees a few months before their attaining that age.
(3.) While on the one hand the company retains employees on their roll upto the age of 60 years, the petitioners alleged, it has stopped making payment of salaries and other allowances after they attained the age of 58 years. The company had entered into a tripartite settlement with four unions in the year 1974 and the superannuation age of employees was fixed at 60 years. Since the petitioners are covered by the said settlement their age of retirement is also 60 years and not 58 years. As such they are entitled to continue till attaining the age of 60 years.