Now,HC blocks PRTC officers allowances

In yet another embarrassment for the officers of Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation which has not been paying pension to its retired staff even after drawing strictures from the high court and having the salaries of its officers attached.

In yet another embarrassment for the officers of Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC),which has not been paying pension to its retired staff even after drawing strictures from the high court and having the salaries of its officers attached,the Punjab and Haryana High Court today ordered that they (officers) will not be paid their travel and dearness allowance (TA/DA) and fuel expenses for use of official vehicles till further orders. Also,Justice Surya Kant has demanded a list of movable/immovable assets belonging to PRTC so that they can be sold in a public auction to realise pensionary benefits of PRTCs retired employees. Justice Surya Kant of the court expressed his strong displeasure and disgust over the perfunctory attitude of its officers.

Also,as ordered in July,the managing director,all first class officers and those holding managerial positions in PRTC will not be paid their salaries till the outstanding pensionary benefits are paid to its retired employees,the Court has ordered. The Single Bench also dismissed a petition filed by an executive engineer demanding release of his salary on the ground that he was not responsible for financial matters.

It might be remembered that on July 15 Justice Surya Kant had attached salaries of the MD and all first class officers of the corporation.

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The Corporation owes nearly Rs 30 crore as pensionary benefits to its 818 retired employees. In some instances,employees are awaiting their pensionary benefits for over two and a half years.

PRTC failed to honour its promise which it had made on the last date of hearing,September 20,of releasing Rs 10 ten crore by the end of November. After attachment of salaries,the Corporation has paid only Rs 10 crore to its employees.

The directions were issued on a petition filed by Sukhdarshan Singh and a few other retired employees of the transport corporation.

Arguing on behalf of the petitioners,Advocate Vikas Chatrath had submitted that the Corporation had not released the amount of gratuity,commuted value of pension and arrears of dearness allowance on their superannuation,which is contrary to the regulation called Pepsu Road Transport Corporation Employees Pension and Gratuity and General Provident Fund,1992.

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Chatrath had further submitted that despite pensionary benefits being sanctioned,the same have not been released. Chatrath had contended that the department has admitted that no adverse remarks or inquiries are pending against the petitioners. The petitioners have also claimed 18 per cent interest from the department on account of holding their pension illegally and arbitrarily. The case has been adjourned to November 29.

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Now,HC blocks PRTC officers allowances

In yet another embarrassment for the officers of Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation which has not been paying pension to its retired staff even after drawing strictures from the high court and having the salaries of its officers attached.

Now,HC blocks PRTC officers allowances