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2006 (2) TMI 661 - SC - Indian LawsVoluntary retirement scheme - Entitlement to benefits of revised scale of pay - whether in view of the fact that the employees who had opted for voluntary retirement having not been excluded from the purview of Clause 3.3 of the Circular No.5/97, would be treated to be included or the benefits thereof would be available to only such employees who come within the purview of Clause 3.2 thereof ? - HELD THAT:- We have indicated hereinbefore that before floating such a scheme both the employer as also the employee take into account financial implications in relation thereto. When an invitation to offer is floated by reason of such a scheme, the employer must have carried out exercises as regard the financial implication thereof. If a large number of employees opt therefor, having regard to the financial constraints an employer may not accept offers of a number of employees and may confine the same to only a section of optees. Similarly when an employer accepts the recommendations of a Pay Revision Committee, having regard to the financial implications thereof it may accept or reject the whole or a part of it. The question of inclusion of employees who form a special class by themselves, would, thus, depend upon the object and purport thereof. The appellants herein do not fall either in clauses 3.2 or 3.3 expressly. They would be treated to be included in clause 3.2, provided they are considered at par with superannuated employee. They would be excluded if they are treated to be discharged employee. We have noticed that admittedly thousands of employees had opted for voluntary retirement during the period in question. They indisputably form a distinct and different class. Having given our anxious consideration thereto, we are of the opinion that neither they are discharged employees nor are superannuated employees. The expression "superannuation" connotes a distinct meaning. It ordinarily means, unless otherwise provided for in the statute, that not only he reaches the age of superannuation prescribed therefor, but also becomes entitled to the retiral benefits thereof including pension. "Voluntary retirement" could have fallen within the afore-mentioned expression, provided it was so stated expressly in the scheme. We are of the opinion that it cannot be said that the Company intended to extend the said benefits to those who had opted for voluntary retirement. Clause 3.2 of the circular includes only those who were on the rolls of the Corporation as on 1.1.1992, as also those who ceased to be in service on that date on account of superannuation or death. The appellants do not come in the said category. In view of the fact that they have not been expressly included within the purview thereof, we are of the opinion that although they have not been excluded by clause 3.3, they would be deemed to be automatically excluded. We are, however, of the opinion that the same would not advance the case of the appellants for more than one reason. Firstly, the said office memorandum dated 5th May, 2000 cannot be considered by us as the same had been filed for the first time with the written submissions. No opportunity therefore had been given to the respondents to respond thereto. Secondly, the same is a general circular whereas the circular letter dated 24th May, 1993 issued by the Union of India deals with the particular problem wherein it has categorically been stated that the Central Government shall nor undertake the financial responsibility therefor. In any event, the said letter refers to the schemes which might have come into force after 2000. It evidently, does not refer to the 1987 Scheme vis-`-vis the revision of the pay scales. The appeals, thus, being devoid of any merit are dismissed.
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