SHRI MAST RAM Vs. CHAIRMAN-CUM-MANAGING

JUDGEMENT

(1.) BY means of this writ petition the petitioner has prayed for the following relief: a) Direct the respondents to grant the benefits of pension or Bank's contribution to provident fund as provided under the terms and conditions of V.R.S. Scheme in accordance with the provisions of pension fund scheme under State Bank of Patiala (Employees) Pension Regulations 1995 & Bank's contribution to Provident Fund Rules along with 12% interest w.e.f. 01.04.2001 till the date of payment.

(2.) THE petitioner was an employee with respondent No. 1 i.e. State Bank of Patiala. He joined service on 22.5.1981. In the year 2001, respondent No. 1 introduced a voluntary retirement scheme (VRI) applicable to employees who had put in 15 years of service or had completed 40 years of age as on 31st December, 2000, who were to be eligible for voluntary retirement. The petitioner applied for voluntary retirement. His request was acceded to and he was retired. He was granted the benefits under the VRS. However, no pension under the Pension Regulations was granted to him. He made various representations and ultimately filed a writ in this High Court. The petitioner prayed for the following amongst other reliefs:

(3.) IT would be also be pertinent to mention that in the said judgment the Court also made the following observations: