High Court of Delhi

Mohinder Singh vs D.T.C. andAnr.

MANU/DE/4475/2023

13.07.2023

Service

Once employee opted for VRS and his decision had been accepted by Corporation, he cannot be permitted to take plea of ignorance about terms and conditions of Scheme

The Petitioner vide the instant Writ Petition is impugning the validity of the retirement order issued by the Respondent Corporation. Petitioner is seeking quashing of the impugned order on the grounds that vide the impugned order, the Respondent Corporation retired the Petitioner from service without providing him the pensionary benefits as envisaged under Voluntary Retirement Scheme introduced by the Respondent Corporation.

The issue raised in the present proceedings is no more res integra as the Supreme Court in DTC v. Moolchand has already settled the issue by holding that, the employees will get benefits only as per the terms of the VRS Scheme. In the present case also, there is a specific provision in the VRS Scheme which disentitles the Petitioner from claiming pensionary benefits. Hence, following the dicta of Supreme Court, this Court is of the considered view that the Petitioner is not entitled for the pensionary benefits. Further, the Petitioner opted for the V.R.S. Scheme and availed all the benefits as per the said Scheme. In compliance of the direction of this Court, the Respondent Corporation reconsidered the grievance of the Petitioner and rejected the same vide a reasoned order. In view of the same, he cannot be allowed to be reinstated, at this stage, as the Respondent Corporation acted in accordance with the specific terms of the VRS Scheme.

The Petitioner himself without any coercion opted for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme. Once his decision to opt for the retirement had been accepted by the Respondent Corporation, he shall not be permitted to take a step back and take plea of ignorance about terms and conditions of the Scheme. It was the responsibility of the Petitioner to understand the features of the Scheme which were to govern his retirement from service. The Circular dated 6th October, 1995, is applicable to the Petitioner since he opted for voluntary retirement after publishing of the said Circular. Therefore, presentCourt is not inclined to exercise its power conferred under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, hence, no interference is warranted in the retirement order issued by the Respondent corporation. Petition dismissed.

Tags : Retirement order Pensionary benefits Entitlement

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