- (1.) Four writ petitions involving the same issues are taken up for hearing analogously by consent of the parties. All the writ petitioners seek to change their option from Contributory Provident Fund to General Providence Fund including family pension in terms of Revision of Pay and Allowances, 1990 (ROPA, 1990).
(2.) The reliefs sought for by the writ petitioners have been opposed on behalf of the State. Although directions for filing affidavits had been given, the State has not filed any affidavit in any of the writ petitions.
(3.) It is submitted on behalf of the writ petitioners that, they had filed an option form under Clause 17(1) of ROPA 1990 for Contributory Provident Fund Scheme when ROPA 1990 had come into force. The writ petitioners had also given an undertaking not to seek extension of service till 65 years of age. They had retired from service on attaining the age of 60 years. It is submitted on behalf of the writ petitioners that, Circular No. 496 dated December 16, 1991 was not widely circulated and that the period for changing the option was very short.;