I reproduce the following news clip on the proposed Karnataka Government appeal to the Supreme Court in the Jayalalithaa case, from Oneindia.com that I happened to browse today (9/6/2015):-
“The Supreme Court is on vacation till July 1. If the Supreme Court is moved right away the state of Karnataka will have to convince the court that there is an urgency involved in the matter. When an appeal is moved during the vacation in the Supreme Court, an urgency application citing the reasons also needs to be filed. The Supreme Court could always question the urgency and if it finds no merit dismiss this application. If the urgency application is dismissed then the Karnataka government will have to move the Supreme Court once again after the vacation with a fresh appeal.”
Based on the logic spelt in the above news clip, in the case relating to LIC pensioners, if LIC wants any clarification from the Apex Court during the vacation period, it is not difficult to convince the SC of the urgency to obtain clarification that it may need because of the impending expiry of the deadline on 18/6/2015 for making the ordered payment of interim relief by LIC.
But the question will also arise that when there is such urgency, why LIC took so much time - almost a month after the SC Order - to approach the Court for a clarification?
Also while applying for such clarification, LIC may also predictably seek extended time for implementing the SC Order after seeking clarification. The Apex Court may also possibly agree to LIC’s request if & when made.
But for the CA relating to the Delhi HC verdict of 30th Jan 2013, LIC would have conveniently paid 20% of whatever they had deposited in the Jaipur & Chandigarh HC Registries to the respondent-pensioners by 17th June. The real dilemma, nay predicament, for LIC now is how to identify the respondent-pensioners in the Delhi HC petitioners-related CA and reportedly no movement has taken place so far in that direction.
The most practical step by LIC in the present circumstances in my opinion will be to take a decision to pay 20% of the upgraded pension arrears (with pension upgradation in chain) as per the Jaipur Bench judgment to all eligible pensioners if it has to avoid possible contempt of court charges before 18/6/2015.
May be it may involve an outlay of Rs 600 cr (for interim relief only), if not more for the Corporation.
As a sequel to the meeting the leaders of the Retired LIC Officers’ Association, Hyderabad had with ED (P) & also MD, let us hope some positive moves are made by LIC in the next 9 days.
Greetings.
C H Mahadevan