BEFORE THE A.P.STATE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION:AT HYDERABAD.

F.A.Nos. 721 of 2013 to F.A.No. 768/2013, F.A.No.329/13 and F.A.No.330/2013  against C.C.Nos. 152/2012,154/2012, 155/12 to 157/12, 159/12 to 162/12, 164/12 to 167/12, 171/12 to 175/12, 177/12, 179/12, 204/12, 208/12 to 211/12, 213/12, 217/12, 218/12, 220/12 221/12, 180/12, 181/12, 184/12 to 187/12, 197/12, 198/12, 201/12, 203/12, 222/12, 223/12, 225/12, 226/12, 229/12, 231/12, 232/12, 02/13, 99/12 and 100/12 Dist. Forum, Guntur.

Between:

1. The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner

    Bhavishya Nidhi Bhavan,

    Barkatpura, Hyderabad.

2. The Asst. Provident Fund Commissioner

     Regional Office, 3^rd Line,

     Krishna Nagar

    Guntur Dist.

    Both Rep. by its Asst. P.F. Commissioner (Legal),

    Mr. PDLNV Prasada Rao.                                                          ..Appellants/

                                                                                                            Opp.Parties in

                                                                                                       FAs721/13 to 768/13,

                                                                                                            329/13 & 330/13

            And

1.    D.V.Hanumantha Rao,

          S/o. D.L. Narsimha Rao,

          R/o. # 12-18-16,

          Agraharam,

          Vinayaka Temple Street,

          Repalle, Guntur Dist.                                                            Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 721/13

2.    P. Subba Rao,

           S/o. Venkateswarlu,

           R/o. # 10-13-11-22,

           Bose Road,

           Uppudi X Roads,

          Guntur Dist.                                                                            Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 722/13

3.    V..Nageswar Rao,

           S/o. Subbaiah,

            R/o. Oleru Vill,

            Mandal Bhattiprolu,

           Guntur District.                                                                      Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 723/13

4.    M.A. Subani,

             S/o. S.K. Nagur,

             R/o. # 1-32-2,

              Nizampatnam Vill & Post,

             Guntur District.                                                                                Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 724/13

5.    M.Krishna

           S/o. Poornachandra Rao,

           R/o. # 13-22-1A,

           Godavari Street,

           4th Ward, Repalle,

           Guntur Dist.                                                                           Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 725/13

6.    Md. Usman,

           S/o. S.K. Ahmed,

           R/o. Near East Mask,

           Penumudi Road,

           Repalle, Guntur Dist.                                                                                   Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 726/13

      7. P. Shyamsunder Rao,

          S/o. Venkateswarlu,

          R/o. Near MCA Hall Road,

          # 10-13-11/7, Repalle,

          Guntur District.                                                                                   Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 727/13

8.    A.Anna Rao,

           S/o. Subba Rao,

           R/o. # 10-13-94/53,

          12th Ward,

          Housing Board Colony,

          Repalle,

          Guntur District.                                                                                   Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 728/13

9.    K. Suryaprakasa Rao,

           S/o. Brahmam,

           R/o. # 15-26-35/2,

          Kolagantivari Street,

          Nr Muncipal High School,

          Old Town, Repalle

          Guntur District.                                                                       Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 729/13

10.  Y. Sambaiah

            S/o. Balakotaiah,

             R/o. # 12-17-94/2,

             Repalle,

             Guntur District.                                                                                Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 730/13

11.  V.P. Venkateswara Rao,

           S/o. Sundaraiah,

           R/o. # 11-15-51/9,

             Nadendlavari Street,

          Repalle,

          Guntur District.                                                                                   Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 731/13

12.  A. Hanumatha Rao,

            S/o. Subbaiah,

           R/o. # 11-15-51/9,

           Nadendlavari Street,

           Repalle,

           Guntur District.                                                                                  Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 732/13

13.  Manyam Raghavaiah,

           S/o. Subbaiah,

           R/o. Karmuru Vill.,

           Mandal  Repalle,

           Guntur District.                                                                                  Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 733/13

14.  Md. Sardar,

           S/o. Mohd Yasin,

          R/o. Booragalamma Temple Street,

          26th Ward,

          Repalle,

          Guntur District.                                                                                   Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 734/13

15.  Sk.Meera Saheb,

           S/o. Shaik Sarvar,

          R/o. # 1-133,

           Lankavari Street,

           Penumudi Road,

           Repalle, Guntur District.                                                      Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 735/13

16.  Md. Khan,

           S/o. Ismail Khan,

           R/o. # 5-29-10/9,

           Near Madina Masjid,

           Repalle,

           Guntur District.                                                                                  Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 736/13

17.  K. Koteswara Rao,

            S/o. Poturaju,

           R/o. # 11-15-75,

          10th Ward,

          Repalle,

          Guntur District.                                                                                   Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 737/13                                                              

18.  N. Subba Rao,

           S/o. Reddaiah,

           R/o. # 9-33-42,

          16th Ward,

          Nizampatnam Road,

          Repalle,

          Guntur District.                                                                                   Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 738/13

19.  B.V.Subba Rao,

           S/o. Raghavaiah,

           R/o. Prabhalavari Street,

          11th Ward

          Repalle,

          Guntur District.                                                                                   Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 739/13

20.  V.Mohan Rao,

            S/o. Ramaiah,

           R/o. Vakavaripalem Vill.,

           Venigantlavari Palem Post,

           Via Dhulipudi,

          Nagaram  Mandal,

          Guntur District.                                                                       Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 740/13

21.  Ch. Prabhakar Rao,

           S/o. Venkata Swamy,

           R/o. Near Ludharan Cherch,

           Kolluru Vill. & Mandal,

          Guntur District.                                                                                   Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 741/13

     22. D. Venkateswarlu,

          S/o. Venkata Subbaiah,

          R/o. # 9-35-110/2,

13th Ward,

            Gandhinagar,

Repalle,

Guntur District.                                                         Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 742/13

23.  C. Mohan Rao,

S/o. Hanumantha Rao,

R/o. Adavula Deevi Vill & Post,

Nizampatnam Mandal,

Guntur District.                                                                     Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 743/13

24.  R.Venkata Sudarsan Rao,

S/o. Ram Murthy,

R/o. # 30-50,

Indian Bank Street,

Repalle,

Guntur District.                                                                     Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 744/13

25.  R.Venkateswara Rao,           

S/o. Venkaiah,

R/o. # 7-11-100/2,

14th Ward,

Gummadivari Street,

Repalle,

Guntur District.                                                                     Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 745/13

26.  P. Suryanarayana Rao,

S/o. Rataiah,

R/o. LIG-24,

Housing Board Colony

Behind Padmavathi Theatre,

Repalle,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 746/13

27.  R. Ramesh Babu

S/o. Venkata Subbaiah,

R/o. Gudavalli Vill & Post,

Gherkupally Mandal,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 747/13

28.  R. Suryanarayana

S/o. Venkata Subbaiah

R/o. Gudavalli Vill & Post,

Cherukupally Mandal,       

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 748/13

29.  G. Kotilingam,

            S/o. Venkatappaiah,

R/o. Addepalle Vill.,

Bhattiprolu Mandal,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 749/13

30.  B. Radhakrishna Murthy,

S/o. Mantraiah,

R/o. Guttavari palem Vill.,

Pedapulivaru Post,

Bhattiprolu Mandal,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 750/13

31.  P. S.Murthy,

            S/o. Raghuramaiah,

R/o. # 7-12-11,

Konagalavari Street,

Kishan Nagar,

Repalle,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 751/13

32.  N.Gopichand,

S/o. Satyanarayana,

R/o. Oleru Post,

Bhattiprolu Mandal,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 752/13

33.  J.Narsimha Rao,

S/o. Punnaiah,

R/o. Peravalli Vill.,

Vemuru Mandal,

Guntur Dist.                                                                          Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 753/13

34.  M.V. Subba Rao, S/o.Sankar Rao,

R/o. Yalavarthivari Street,

12th Ward,

Repalle,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 754/13

35.  V.Poturaju,

S/o. Anjaiah,

R/o. # 10-14-67,

Mekavari Street,

11th Ward,

Repalle,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 755/13

36.  Kondapally Jesu Dayaratnam,

            S/o. Ratnam,

R/o. Devarapally Street,

20th Ward, Isukapally,

Repalle,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 756/13

37.  V. Ramakoteswara Rao,

S/o. Poturaju,

R/o. Adavula Deevi Vill & Post,

Nizampatnam Mandal,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 757/13

38.  B.Shiva Ramaiah,

S/o. Punnaiah,

R/o. # 10-13-11/33,

13th Ward,

Bose Road, Repalle,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 758/13

39.  M.Satyanarayana,

S/o. Baswaiah,

R/o. Sinkapalem Post,

Nizampatnam Mandal,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 759/13

40.  D.Koteswar Rao,

S/o. Rajaiah,

R/o. # 6-10-143/10,

20th Ward,

Vidyanagar Colony,

Repalle,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 760/13

41.  Ch.Mallikarjuna Rao,

S/o. Laxmaiah,

R/o. # 14-61-15,

Velugolluvari Veedhi,

Morispet, Tenali,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 761/13

42.  V.Koteswar Rao,

S/o. Seetaramaiah,

R/o. # 5-23-34,

Jayaprakash Nagar,

Itanagar Colony, Tenali,

Guntur District.                                                                     Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 762/13

43.  N.Sambasiva Rao,

S/o. Raghavaiah,

 R/o. 9-35-92/7,

13th Ward,

Behind BSS High School,

Uppudi Road,

Repalle,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 763/13

44.  V.Bose babu

S/o. Jacob,

R/o. Vemuru Vill., Post & Mandal,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 764/13

45.  Karanki Nageswara Rao,

      S/o. Ankaiah,

R/o. Peturu Vill., & Post,

Repalle Mandal,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 765/13

46.  Ch. Nageswara Rao,

S/o. Bapaiah,

 R/o. Kolaganivaripalem Vill.,

Dhulupudi Post,

Nagaram Mandal,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 766/13

47.  K.Venkata Subba Rao,

S/o. Satyanarayana,

R/o. Vttaleshwar Nagar,

Bhattiprolu Vill., & Mandal,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 767/13

48.  Ch. Nirikshana Rao,

S/o. Sanjeeva Rao,

R/o. Addepalle Vill.,

Bhattiprolu Mandal,

Guntur Dist.                                                              Respondent/

                                                                                                Complainant in FA 768/13

49. S.Siva Sankar Rao,

S/o.Venkateswarlu,

R/o.#12-17-94/2, Repalle,

Guntur District.                                                            Respondent/

                                                                                    Complainant in FA 329/13

50. Ch.Nageswara Rao

S/o.Raghavulu

R/o.#9-35/37, 15^th ward,

Near FCI Godowns,

Isukapalli,

Repalle, Guntur District.                                             Respondent/

                                                                                    Complainant in FA 330/13

Counsel for the Appellants      :  Mr.K.Raghuram Reddy

(Common in all appeals)

Counsel for the Respondents:  (M/s K.Rama Koteswara Rao).

(common in all appeals)

F.A.Nos. 528/13, 530/13, 531/12 to 533/13, 535/13 to 537/13, 539/13 to 543/13, 545/13 to 547/13, 549/13 to 551/13, 553/13, 553/13, 554/13, 556/13, 557/13 to 559/13 , 561/13, 563/13, 564/13, 811/13 and  812/13 against C.C.Nos. 152/2012 154/12, 155/12, 156/12, 157/12,  160/12  to 164/12,  172/12 to 175/12, 177/12, 179/12, 180/12, 185/12, 197/12, 198/12, 203/12 204/12, 20/12, 213/12, 220/12, 221/12, 226/12, 229/12, 231/12, 99/12 and 100/12 Dist. Forum, Guntur.

Between:

1.      D.V. Hanumantha Rao,

            S/o. D.L. Narasimha Rao Aged  63 Yrs,

            Occ: Retired cleaner of APSRTC

            Repalle Depot,Guntur District,

            R/o. D.No.12-18-16,

            Agraharam, Vinayaka

            Temple Street, Repalle,

            Guntur Dist.                                                                                      Appellant/

                                                                                                Complainant             in FA 528/13 

2.    P. Subba Rao,

S/o. Venkateswarlu,

Aged about 62 Years,

Occ: Retd.Conductor of APSRTC

Repalle Depot,

Guntur Dist.

R/o. H.No.10-13-11-22,

Bose Road, Uppudi X Roads,

            Guntur Dist.                                                              Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 530/13 

3.    V.Nageswara Rao,

S/o. Subbaiah,

Aged about 61 Years,

Occ: Retd. Conductor of APSRTC

Repalle Depot,

            Guntur Dist.                                                               

R/o. Oleru Village,

            Bhattiprolu Mandal, Guntur Dist.                          Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 531/13 

4.    M.A. Subhani,

S/o. Shaik Nagoor,

Aged 71 Years,

Occ: Retd. Driver of APSRTC, 

Repalle Depot,

Guntur Dist.

 R/o. H.No.1/32-2,

Nizampatnam village and Mandal,

            Guntur Dist.                                                              Appellant/

                                                                              Complainant             in FA 532/13 

5.    M.Krishna ,

S/o. Poornachandra Rao,

Aged about 59 Years,

Occ: Retd. Driver of APSRTC, 

Repalle Depot,

Guntur Dist.

R/o. D.No.13-22-1A,

Godavari Street,

4th Ward, Repalle,

            Guntur Dist.                                                              Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 533/13 

6.    P.Syamsunder Rao,

            S/o. Venkateswarlu,

Aged 74 Years,

Occ: Retd. Cleaner of APSRTC, 

Repalle Depot,

Guntur Dist.

R/o. Near MCA Hall Road,

D.No.10-13-11/7, Repalle,

            Guntur Dist.                                                              Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 535/13 

7.    A. Nana Rao,

S/o. Subba Rao,

Aged about 63 Years,

Occ: Retd. Conductor of APSRTC, 

Repalle Depot,

Gutur Dist.

R/o. H.No.10-13-94/53, 12^th Ward,

Housing Board Colony,

            Repalle Guntur Dist.                                                           Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 536/13 

8.    K. Surya Prakasa Rao,

S/o. Brahma,

Aged about 65 years,

Occ: Retd. Conductor of APSRTC, 

Repalle Depot,

Guntur Dist.

R/o. D.No.15-26-35/2,

Kolagantivari Street,

            Near Municipal High School.       

           Old Town, Repalle Guntur Dist.,                            Appellant/

                                                                                                Complainant             in FA 537/13            

9.    Y. Sambaiah,

S/o. Balakotaiah,

Aged about 61 Years,

Occ: Retd. Driver of APSRTC,

Repalle Depot,

Guntur Dist.

R/o. H.No.12-17-94/2,

            Repalle, Guntur Dist.                                                                      Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 539/13 

10.  Shaik Meera Saheb,

S/o. Shaik Sarvar,

Aged about 62 Years,

Occ: Retd. Cleaner of APSRTC, 

Repalle Depot,

Guntur Dist.

R/o. D.No.1-133,

Lankavari Street,

Penumudi Road,

            Repalle, Guntur Dist.                                                                      Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 540/13 

11.  Mohammad Khan,

S/o. Ismail Khan

Aged about 61 Years,

Occ: Retd. Block Smith of APSRTC,

Repalle Depot,

Guntur Dist.

R/o. 5-29-10/9,

Near Madina Masjid,

            Repalle, Guntur Dist.                                                          Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 541/13 

12.  K. Koteswara Rao,

S/o. Pothuraju,

Aged about 62 Years,

Occ: Retd.Mechanic of APSRTC,

Repalle Guntur Dist.

R/o. D.No. 11-15-75,

10th Ward,

            Repalle Guntur Dist.                                                                       Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 542/13 

13.  N. Subba Rao,

S/o. Reddaiah,

Aged about 59 Years,

Occ: Retd. Driver in the APSRTC, 

Repalle Depot, Guntur Dist.

R/o. D.No.9-33-42,

16th Ward,

Nizampatnam Road,

Repalle,

            Guntur District. 522 265.                                         Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 543/13 

14.  B.V. Subba Rao,

S/o. Raghavaiah,

Aged about 63 years,

Occ: Retd. Conductor in the APSRTC,

Repalle Depot, Guntur Dist.

R/o. Prabhalavari street,

11th Ward,

            Repalle Guntur Dist.                                                                       Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 545/13 

15.  V. Mohan Rao,

S/o. Ramaih,

Aged  69 Years,

Occ: Retd. Driver of APSRTC,

Repalle Depot,

Guntur District.

R/o. Vakavaripalem Village,

Venigandlavaripalem Post

Via Dhulipudi,

Nagaram Mandal,

            Guntur Dist.                                                              Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 546/13 

16.  P.S. Murthy,

S/o. Raghuramaiah,

Aged about 64 Years,

Occ: Retd. Conductor in the APSRTC,

Repalle Depot, Guntur District,

R/o. 7-12-11,

Konagalavari Street,

 Kishan Nagar Repalle,

            Guntur Dist.                                                              Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 547/13 

17. M.V.Subba Rao, S/o.Sankar Rao,

Aged about 62 years, Occ:Retd.

Security Sub  Inspector in APSRTC

Repalle, Guntur District.

R/o.Yalavarthivaristreet,

12^th ward,

Repalle,Guntur Dist.                                                                       Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 549/13 

18.  V.Ramakoteswara Rao,

S/o. Pothu Raju,

Aged about 61 Years,

Occ: Retd. Driver in the APSRTC,

 Repalle Depot,

Guntur District.

R/o. Adavaladeevi Village, & Post,

Nizampatnam Mandal,

            Guntur District.                                                         Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 550/13 

19.  B.Siva Ramaiah

S/o. Punnaiah,

Aged about 61 Years,

Occ: Retd. L.H. of APSRTC,

R/o.D.No.10-13-11/33,

13th Ward, Bose Road,

            Repalle, Guntur District.                                         Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 551/13 

20.  D. Koteswara Rao,

S/o. Rajaiah,

Aged about 63 Years,

Occ: Retd. Driver of APSRTC,

Repalle Depot, Guntur District.

R/o. 6-10-143/10,

20th Ward, Vidyanagar Colony,

            Repalle, Guntur District.                                                     Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 553/13 

21.  Ch. Prabhakara Rao,

S/o. Venkata Swamy,

Aged about 61 Years,

Occ: Retd. Mechanic of APSRTC,

Repalle Depot, Guntur District.

R/o. Near Luthern Church,

Kolluru Village and Mandal,

            Guntur Dist.                                                              Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 554/13 

22.  R. Venkata Sudharsan Rao,

S/o. Ram Murthy,

Aged 63 Years,

Occ: Retd. Senior Assistant (P) of APSRTC,

Repalle Depot,

Guntur District.

R/o. H.No. 30-50,

 Indian Bank Street,

            Repalle, Guntur District.                                         Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 556/13 

23.  P. Suryanarayana Rao,

S/o. Rataiah,

Aged  66 Years,

Occ: Retd. Conductor of APSRTC,

Repalle, Depot,

Guntur District.

 R/o. LIG 24, Housing Board Colony,

Behind Padmavathi Theatre,

            Repalle, Guntur Dist.                                                          Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 557/13 

24.  G.Kotilingam,

            S/o. Venkatappaiah,

Aged about 70 Years,

Occ: Retd. Driver of APSRTC,

Repalle, Depot, Guntur Dist.

R/o. Addepale Village,

Bhattiprolu Post,

            Guntur Dist.                                                              Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 558/13

25.  B. Radha Krishna Murthy,

S/o. Mantraiah,

Aged  65 Years,

Occ: Retd. Conductor of APSRTC,

Repalle Depot, Guntur Dist.

R/o. Guthavaripalem Village,

Pedapulivarru Post,

Battiprolu Mandal,

            Guntur Dist.                                                              Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 559/13 

26.  V. Bose Babu,

S/o. Jacob,

Aged about 64 Years,

Occ: Retd.Mechanic of APSRTC,

Repalle, Depot,

Guntur Dist.

R/o. Vemuru Village, Post and Mandal,

            Guntur Dist.                                                              Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 561/13 

27.  Karanki Nageswar Rao,

S/o. Ankaiah,

 Aged about 63 Years,

Occ: Retd. Security Guard in APSRTC,

 Repalle, Depot,

Guntur Dist.

R/o. Peturu Village & Post,

Repalle Mandal,

            Guntur Dist.                                                                          Appellant/

                                                                                    Complainant             in FA 563/13 

28.  Ch. Nageswara Rao,

S/o. Bapaiah,

Aged about 62 Years,

Occ:Retd. Conductor of APSRTC,

Repalle Depot,

Guntur Dist.

R/o. Kolaganivaripalem Village,

Dhulupudi Post,

Nagaram Mandal,

            Guntur Dist.                                                              Appellant/

                                                                                                Complainant             in FA 564/13 

29. S.Siva Sankar Rao S/o.Venkateswarlu

Aged about 63 years, Occ:Retd.Helper

Of APSRTC, Repalle Depot,

Guntur District.

R/o.H.No.12-17-94/2,

            Repalle, Guntur District.                                         Appellant/

                                                                                                Complainant             in FA 811/13 

30. Ch.Nageswara Rao S/o.Raghavulu

Aged about 60 years, Occ:Retd.

Conductor of APSRTC, Repalle

Depot, Guntur District.

R/o.D.No.9-35/37, 1^st ward,

New FCI Godowns, Isukapalli,

            Repalle, Guntur District.                                         Appellant/

                                                                                                Complainant             in FA 812/13 

            AND

1. The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner

    Bhavishyanidhi Bhavan,

    Barkatpura, Hyderabad.

2. The Asst.Provident Fund Commissioner

     Regional Office, 3^rd Lane,

     Krishna Nagar

     Guntur, Guntur Dist.

                                                            ***                    Respondents/

Opp.parties in FAs 528/13, 530/13, 531/12 to 533/13, 535/13 to 537/13, 539/13 to 543/13, 545/13 to 547/13, 549/13 to 551/13, 553/13, 553/13, 554/13, 556/13, 557/13 to 559/13 , 561/13, 563/13, 564/13, 811/13 &

812/13.  

Counsel for the Appellant: M/s.K.Ramakoteswara Rao.

(Common in all appeals)

Counsel for the Respondents:(Mr.K.Raghuram Reddy) in FA 528/13 batch

                                Mr.K.Raghuram Reddy in FAs 811/13 and 812/13

QUORUM:  SMT.M.SHREESHA, HON’BLE Incharge President

AND

SRI T.ASHOK KUMAR, HON’BLE MEMBER.  

FRIDAY, THE TWENTY SEVENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER

TWO THOUSAND THIRTEEN

Order (Per Smt.M.Shreesha, Hon’ble Incharge President)

***

            These appeals are disposed of by this common order            since the facts are similar in all these matters.

F.A.No.721/2013

Aggrieved by the order in C.C.No.152/2012 on the file of District Forum, Guntur  the opposite parties  preferred this appeal.

        The brief facts as set out in the complaint are that the complainant worked as a cleaner in APSRTC Repalle Guntur District and opted for Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995. The complainant had put 23 years of part service upto 15-11-1995 and thereafter 13 years of service totalling to 36 years service.  The complainant submits that his details regarding service particulars as follows:

        P.F.A/c.No.                                 AP/Hyd/295/43285

        Date of Birth                               02-6-1950

        Part Service Upto 15-11-1995       23 years

        Actual service                             13 years

        Total service                               36 years

        Age as on 15-11-95                     45 years

        The wage on 15-11-1995              Rs.3920/-

        Pensionable Salary                      Rs12,940/-

Basing on the above information, the complainant submits that the opposite parties wrongly fixed his monthly pension at an amount of Rs.2,778/-  in both accounts under pensioner service benefit and past service benefit.  The opposite parties did not give weightage of 2 years for more than 20 years of service under para (10)2  of 1995 scheme and also did not give past service benefits an amount of Rs.800/- per month under para 12 (3) of the scheme, which is as follows:

        Pensionable service benefit (12940 x15)         =Rs.2773/-

                                                  70

        Past service benefit                                       Rs. 800/-

                                                                        --------------

        Total Pension                                                Rs.3573/-

                                                                        ========

But instead the opposite parties awarded monthly pension of  Rs.2778/- instead of Rs.3,563/- and therefore they have to pay arrears of balance Rs.795/-    from the date of retirement i.e. 02-6-2008 with interest at 18% p.a. by paying the monthly pension of Rs.3573/- with interest .  The arrears of monthly pension are as follows:

Opposite parties did not take into consideration  para 2(1), 2(VI), 2(VIII), 2(IX) and 2(XV) and also failed to see para 9(b) and 10(2) of the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995.  The complainant is also a member of the Family Pension Scheme,  1971 and paid his hard earned money   but the opposite parties failed to calculate the past service contributions.  The complainant has given several representations to give weightage of 2 years under para   10(2) of Employee’s Pension Scheme, 1995 and to fix monthly pension properly by counting the past pension of the complainant properly but the opposite parties neither rejected the claim nor informed the same either to the complainant or to the Retired Employees’ Association.  Hence the complaint seeking direction to the opposite parties to pay the arrears including interest at an amount of Rs.22,514/-   with future interest at 12% p.a. by paying future monthly pension as calculated by the complainant i.e. an amount of Rs.3573/- and to direct the opposite parties to pay Rs.10,000/- towards mental agony with interest at 12% p.a.

Opposite parties filed their written version stating that the complainant is not entitled for weightage of 2 years over and above his pensionable service as he has rendered service from 16-11-1995 to the date of retirement and under the Family Pension scheme 1971, the employee and the employer have to contribute and under the present scheme of 1995, the employee is not contributing, the employer alone is contributing at @8.33%    of the wages.  The complainant already enjoyed the benefit under the old scheme and as such cannot have the double benefit.  Eligible service means aggregate of actual service and past service but pensionable service is not eligible service.  The complainant completed 15 years of service after advent of EPS scheme of 1995, new entrants into the job after 16-11-1995 are only entitled to weightage.  The authorities fixed the pension correctly and there is no deficiency in service on their part. 

Both sides filed affidavit evidence.

        Based on the evidence adduced i.e. Exs.A1 to A4  and the pleadings put forward, the District Forum allowed the complaint and directed the opposite parties to fix the pension of the complainant at Rs.2863/-   instead of 2778 with effect from 01-7-2013 and also pay arrears at Rs.85/- per month till fixation of  at Rs.2863/- together with interest at 12% p.a. from the due date.

        Aggrieved by the said order, the opposite parties preferred this appeal.

            Heard both sides at length and both sides filed written arguments.     

The first point which the learned counsel for the appellants raised in his arguments for consideration is whether the complainant is a ‘consumer’. and relied on the decision of the Apex court in 2013 STPL (web) 558 SC in DR.JAGMITTAR SAIN BHAGAT v. DIR. HEALTH SERVICES, HARAYANA & Ors. in which the Apex court held that as the complainant is a government servant held that the government retiral benefits do not fall within the ambit of Consumer Protection Act. 

Now we address ourselves to whether an employee of APSRTC can be treated as a Government servant.  We rely on the judgment of Hon’ble High Court of A.P.in W.P.No.16482/2008 DATED 11-11-2010 in  R.VARALAKSHMI v. THE SUB COLLECTOR, VIJAYAWADA AND ANOTHER   in which it has clearly ruled that an employee of APSRTC is not a government servant as a corporation established by the State Government, by virtue of the Provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of the Act and the power to manage the affairs of the Corporation vests in a Board of Directors but not in the State Government. It was further held that it is evident that the A.P.S.R.T.C. can neither be considered as Government nor as a department of the Government, and by no stretch of imagination an employee working in the A.P.S.R.T.C. can be treated as a Government employee.     Keeping in view the aforementioned observation by the Hon’ble High Court, we conclude that an employee of APSRTC can be considered as Public servant and not a Government servant and therefore the decision of the Apex court in 2013 STPL (web) 558 SC   does not apply to the facts in the instant case and we conclude that the complainant in the present case is a consumer and falls within the ambit of Consumer Protection Act.

        The second contention of the learned counsel for the appellants/OPs is that the Employees Family Pension Scheme 1971 and the Employees’ Pension Scheme 1995 are totally different and they cannot be inter linked as old pension scheme is applicable only when a member dies while in service where a widow/widower and in the absence of one of the family members of below 25 years can get pension as such a member can never get pension under the old scheme whereas under Employees Pension Scheme, 1995  (‘EPS 1995’ for short) even a member who renders 10 years of service under Employees Pension Scheme, 1995 (including the service rendered under the old scheme) and attains 50 years of age can get pension.  In the relevant para 10(2) of the EPS 1995 it has been specifically provided that ‘who superannuates on attaining the age of 58 years and who had rendered 20 years pensionable service’, his pensionable service shall be increased by adding a weightage of two years.  Pensionable service is a service for which contributions are received or receivable under the new scheme [para 2(xv)] whereas ‘past service’ means service rendered by an existing member from the date of joining till 15-11-1995 [para 2(xii)].  On the face of those two definitions it is very clear that both are different aspects and when a member renders 20 year service under the new pension scheme i.e. w.e.f. 16-11-1995 only such weightage can be given.  In the instant case the service rendered under the new pension scheme is much less than 20 years.  The complainant completed 12 years of service after advent of the scheme (pensionable scheme) and as such the complainant is not entitled for weightage of 2 years over and above the pensionable service as per Section 10(2) of the scheme.  The benefit of weightage is applicable only for the service rendered w.e.f. 16-11-1995 contributing to the fund which is called as pensionable service as defined of para 2xv) of EPS 1995. 

        The learned counsel for the appellants has given the following calculation with respect to past service benefit:

Past service benefit:(as per the table given at para 12(3) : Rs.170/- for        rendering 23 years of past service where the salary is more than Rs.2500/- as on 15-11-1995 which is to be multiplied by the factor 3.292/-, after which the correct figure to be taken towards past service benefit comes as Rs.560/-.  This is calculated basing on the past service rendered upto 15-11-1995 and the service remaining in respect of the complainant from 16-11-1995 to the date of leaving or 58 years of age, whichever is earlier.

        Pension as per Formula under the new pension scheme:12940 (pensionable salary) x 12 ( Pensionable service)/70 which is Rs.2,218/- (Rs.560 +2218)

Now after adding both the amounts together with the original pension payable to pensioner, this amount is calculated as Rs.2778/-

        As against this the learned counsel for the appellant/complainant in F.A.No.528/2013 which has been filed as a cross appeal stated that the District Forum has to take past service 23 years, contrary took Actual service 13 years and the same is against the scheme.  If the District Forum took past service 23 years for the salary of complainant more than Rs.2,500/-, he is entitled to Rs.170/-.  In this case, the past service benefit will come to Rs.170 x 2.616= Rs.445 (44.72) but the District Forum wrongly allotted past service benefit Rs.275/-.  The District Forum also did not award costs and interest from 01-4-2010.

        A brief perusal of the Employees Pension Scheme, 1995 defines in Section 2(ii) as follows:

‘actual service’ means the aggregate of periods of service rendered from the 16^th November, 1995 or from the date of joining any establishment whichever is later to the date of exit from the employment of the establishment covered under the Act;

Section 2(xii)

“past service” means the period of service rendered by an existing member from the date of joining Employees’ Family Pension Fund till the 15^th November, 1995;

Section 2(xv)

“pensionable service” means the service rendered by the member for which contributions have been [received or are receivable];

Para 10(2) In the case of the member who superannuates on attaining the

age of 58 years and/or who has rendered 20 years pensionable service or more, his pensionable service shall be increased by adding a weightage of 2 years.

The learned counsel for the complainant is relying on para 12(i)(b) which reads as follows:

Retirement pension, if he has rendered eligible service of 20 years or more and retires or otherwise ceases to be in the employment before attaining the age of 58 years

The learned counsel also relied on para 12(3) which reads as follows:

In the case of an employee[who was a member of the ceased Family Pension Scheme, 1971] and who has not attained the age of 48 years on the 16^th November, 1995;

        Superannuation/retirement/short service pension shall be equal to the aggregate of –

a)   Pension as determined under sub-paragraph 2 for the period of pensionable service rendered from 16^th November, 1995 or Rs.635/- per month whichever is more;

b)   Past service pension benefit shall be as given below:-

The past service benefit payable on completion of 58 years of age on 16-11-1995.

Subject to a minimum of Rs.800/- per month provided the past service is 24 years.  If the aggregate service of the member is less than 24 years, the pension and the benefit commuted as above shall be reduced proportionately subject to a minimum of Rs.450 per month.

(c) On completion of the age of 58 years after 16-11-1995, the benefit under column (2) or column (3) above, as the case may be, shall be multiplied by the factor given in Table B-corresponding to the period between 16-11-1995 and date of attainment of age 58 to arrive at past service pension payable]

        Therefore the brief point that falls for consideration is whether the complainant is entitled to 2 years weightage and also if as per 3(b) for salary more than Rs.2500/- per month, past service benefits were calculated by the District Forum?

        The District Forum relied  on the decision of the National Commission reported in Regional Provident Fund Commissioner v. Sri Mallikarjun Devendrappa Varapur in RP No.3970/2009 dated 29-6-2010 and also filed as Ex.A4 before the District Forum in which the facts are applicable to the instant case, as the complainant had put up 24 years service as on 15-11-1995 and thereafter 8 years after 15-11-1995 prior to his retirement and the National Commission taking into consideration Section 10(2) 10(3) & (4) of the Employees Pension Scheme, 1995 held that past service and actual service periods constitute eligible service and the National Commission had calculated that 24 + 8 years is more than 20 years and observed that the complainant is entitled to weightage of 2 years in terms of 10(2).

We rely on the decision of the National Commission reported in III (2013) CPJ 244 NC between ASST. PROVIDENT FUND COMMISSIONER, RAICHUR v. VASANT MADHAV KERUR AND OTHERS in which the National Commission held that the authorities have to consider the aggregate of PAST SERVICE + THE PERIOD FROM 16-11-1995 ONWARDS AND THEREFORE THEY ARE ENTITLED FOR TWO YEARS WEIGHTAGE UNDER 10(2) OF EMPLOYEES PENSION SCHEME, 1995 AND THEIR PENSION HAS TO BE FIXED ACCORIDNGLY. 

 Even in the instant case, the complainant has put up 23 years of past service upto 15-11-1995 and 13 years of actual service totalling to 36 years and therefore the eligible service is more than 20 years and therefore he is entitled to 2 years weightage as held by the National Commission. However, the opposite parties contend in the instant case that that pensionable service in this specific case is 12 years of pensionable service instead of 13 years of actual service.

The second point for consideration is whether the District Forum has rightly calculated past service pension benefit as per 12(3) of EPS 1995.  Even in the instant case the age of the complainant as on 15-11-1995 is 45 years and therefore he falls within the ambit of  12(3) of EPS, 1995 in which it is held that the employee who has not attained the age of 48 years as on 16-11-95 wherein the past service pension benefit payable on completion of 58 years of age on 16-11-1995 is as follows:

In the case of an employee[who was a member of the ceased Family Pension Scheme, 1971] and who has not attained the age of 48 years on the 16^th November, 1995;

        Superannuation/retirement/short service pension shall be equal to the aggregate of –

c)   Pension as determined under sub-paragraph 2 for the period of pensionable service rendered from 16^th November, 1995 or Rs.635/- per month whichever is more;

d)   Past service pension benefit shall be as given below:-

The past service benefit payable on completion of 58 years of age on 16-11-1995.