D. G. R. Patnaik, J. - (1.) Petitioners in these writ petitions have prayed for the issuance of a direction commanding upon the respondents to pay pension to the petitioners from the respective dates of their retirement in the year 1995, under the SFVRS scheme with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum.
(2.) The petitioners were piece rated employees of the Central Coalfields Limited working under the Project Officer (respondent No. 5). After their retirement, they filed applications for employment of their wards and also for payment of their dues on account of Provident Fund (CMPF) and gratuity. Though payment of PF and gratuity was made to the petitioners, but in spite of settlement of pension in the year 1988, and filling up of the prescribed forms for payment of pension in 1999, there was no response from the respondents in this regard. It is further stated that the petitioners were members of the Family Pension Scheme and the amounts of contribution used to be deducted from CMPF from their wages till the date of their retirement. But in spite of repeated requests for payment, there has been no response as a result of which the petitioners had no alternative, but to approach this Court in these writ petitions.
(3.) Counter affidavit has been filed on behalf of CMPF Commissioner, Range II, Ranchi (respondent No. 7) wherein it has been stated that the application for pension of the petitioners has not been received till date in the office of the respondent No. 7 from the colliery Management. Since the Central Coalfields Limited, respondent No. 1. is the employer of the petitioners, and has deducted the amount of contribution from the members, including the petitioners under the scheme, it, is the employer who is supposed to maintain the statements of accounts in respect of deductions made from the employees/workers and to supply the same to the officer of respondent No. 7.;