Ranganath Misra, J. - (1.) The short question in this appeal by special leave is whether the appellant-workman was entitled to interest on the gratuity due to him under the provisions of the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (39 of 1972).
(2.) Appellant joined service under Respondent No. 1 in April, 1944 and was relieved from service on his resignation with effect from 24-5-1983. The employer did not determine the amount of gratuity payable to the appellant as required under S. 7(2) of the Act. On 7-6-1983, the appellant furnished an application in Form-I for payment of gratuity but no action was taken by the employer; then appellant approached the statutory controlling authority for determination of the amount of gratuity and requested that on the sum due interest may be paid. The employer contested the claim both in regard to gratuity as also interest. On 3-12-1984, the controlling authority determined the amount of gratuity at Rs. 16,380/- ad directed the Respondent No. 1 to pay the same along with compound interest of 9 per cent. Thereupon Respondent No. 1 challenged the order before the appellate Authority. The appellate Authority affirmed the determination of gratuity but set aside the order for payment of interest.
(3.) We have heard learned counsel for both parties in regard to payability of interest. Relevant portions of S. 7 of the Act, as it stood in 1983, when the cause of action arose, may now be extracted:- "7:Determination of the amount of gratuity:- (1) A person who is eligible for payment of gratuity under this Act or any person authorised, in writing, to act on his behalf shall send a written application to the employer, within such time and in such form, as may be prescribed, for payment of such gratuity. (2) As soon as gratuity becomes payable, the employer shall, whether an application referred to in sub-sec. (1) has been made or not, determine the amount of gratuity and give notice in writing to the person to whom the gratuity is payable and also to the controlling authority specifying the amount of gratuity so determined.; (3) The employer shall arrange to pay the amount of gratuity, within such time as may be prescribed, to the person to whom the gratuity is payable; (4) (a) If there is any dispute as to the amount of gratuity payable to an employee under this Act or as to the admissibility of any claim of, in relation to, an employee for payment of gratuity, or as to the person entitled to receive the gratuity, the employer shall deposit with the controlling authority such amount as he admits to be payable by him as gratuity. Explanation:Where there is a dispute with regard to any matter specified in this clause the employee may make an application to the controlling authority for taking such action as is specified in clause (b). (c) ********** (d) ********** (5) ********** (6) ********** (7) ********** Section 8:Recovery of gratuity:- If the amount of gratuity payable under this Act is not paid by the employer, within the prescribed time, to the person entitled thereto, the controlling authority shall, on an application made to it in this behalf by the aggrieved person, issue a certificate for that amount to the Collector, who shall recover the same, together with compound interest thereon at the rate of nine per cent per annum, from the date of expiry of the prescribed time, as arrears of land revenue and pay the same to the person entitled thereto." The provisions of S. 7 have been amended twice, first by Act 25 of 1984 with effect from 1-7-1984 and again by Act 22 of 1987. The 1987 Amendment has substituted sub-sec. (3) and added sub-sec. (3A) in S. 7 to the following effect:- "(3) The employer shall arrange to pay the amount of gratuity within thirty days from the date it becomes payable to the person to whom the gratuity is payable. (3A) If the amount of gratuity payable under sub-sec. (3) is not paid by the employer within the period specified in sub-sec. (3), the employer shall pay, from the date on which the gratuity becomes payable to the date on which it is paid, simple interest at such rate, not exceeding the rate notified by the Central Government from time to time, repayment of long term deposits, as that Government may, by notification specify .............." The controlling authority had directed interest as provided in S. 8 to be paid which the Appellate Authority had vacated. From the facts of the case, it is clear that the stage for action under S. 8 had not been reached inasmuch the appellant had not applied for recovery of gratuity to the Collector. It is only when the Collector issues a certificate for recovery of the dues as a public demand that interest as provided under S. 8 is admissible.;