MADURAI: The HC Bench on Friday took up a suo motu PIL based on a letter sent by a retired TNSTC employee, who was not given the terminal benefits even after 24 years.
It directed the principal secretary, Transport, to submit a detailed report on the benefits to be given to the State-run transport corporation employees.
In the letter addressed to a division bench of Justices M V Muralidaran and N Seshasayee, R Mayandi of Chekkanurani rued that “While hundreds of TNSTC employees were affected due to nonpayment of the terminal and other benefits for many years, how the court could pass an order in favour of the State?”
The 82-year-old Mayandi further noted that the employees resorted to an indefinite strike recently demanding the TNSTC settle their grievances.
But, when a PIL was filed earlier, the HC directed the employees to resume work, and if they fail, the government was directed to take action under the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA). While the retired employees were not even able to make ends meet, how the court direct the government to invoke ESMA, he asked.
When the petition was heard on Friday, government pleader contended that the government has sanctioned Rs 1,250 crore for the terminal benefits and Rs 140 crore and Rs 79 crore for the statutory dues and DA. Justices Muralidaran and Karthikeyan directed the government to submit the detailed report on monetary benefits already given as well as pending on May 30.