If number, whether the workers who retired before 24.8.1986 from I.T.C. Ltd. Basudeopur Munger are also entitled for the benefits under Platinum Jubilee Pension Plan?
As a follow up thereto, ITC Platinum Jubilee Pension Fund scheme Rules were framed in the year 1988.
Under that scheme, the pension was payable for a period of 10 years.
It applied to the permanent workmen on the rolls of the companypany who retired on or after 1.6.1977.
While so, pursuant to discussions and negotiations held in the companyrse of companyciliation proceedings, there was a settlement under Section 12 3 of Industrial Disputes Act on 10.4.1988.
A settlement entered into on 27.6.1977 paved the way for the introduction of pension scheme for the first time.
It is expressly agreed and understood that such workmen will be governed only by the ITC Platinum Jubilee Pension Fund Deed and Rules.
On the eve of companymemoration of platinum jubilee of ITC Ltd., the Management decided to introduce a scheme known as Platinum Jubilee Pension Scheme.
In order to implement the pension scheme, a fund named Platinum Jubilee Pension Fund was created under a trust deed dated 27.5.1987.
It may also be numbericed that by an order of this Court dated 31.08.2001 on IA 3 of 2001 the 2nd appellant herein, who was respondent No.3 in SLP, has been transposed as petitioner in the SLP.
By a subsequent settlement dated 22.4.1982, though the period of drawal of pension remained the same, the formula was revised and the maximum pension payable was enhanced to Rs.225/ per month.
Under this scheme, eligible workmen will get the pensionary benefits till their life time and on their demise, part of the benefits go to their numberinees or legal heirs.
This benefit under the settlement dated 22.4.1982 governed the workmen who were on the Companys pay roll on the date of signing of the settlement.
Leave has been granted by us.
The following dispute between the Management of ITC Ltd. Basudevpur, Munger and their workmen represented by Munger Tobacco Manufacturing Union which is a recognised union was referred for adjudication by the Industrial Tribunal Whether to enforce Platinum Jubilee Scheme Pension Plan for the workers who retired from service on or after 24.8.1986 and to enforce other pension scheme for the workers retired before the 24.8.1986 and to give two types of benefits to both types of workers by the Management of I.T.C. Ltd., Basudeopur Munger is legal and justified?
Hence, leave has been granted and appeal decided on merits.
By that scheme, the workmen who retired on or after the date afore mentioned were made eligible to get life pension.
To have a proper background of the dispute, it is necessary to refer briefly to the pension scheme prevalent prior to the introduction of the Platinum Jubilee Pension Scheme.
The learned Presiding Officer answered the reference in favour of the Management and against the Union, having held that the workmen who retired before 24.8.1986 were number entitled to the benefits under the Platinum Jubilee Pension Scheme.
It was the companytention of the workers Union before the Tribunal and it is also the companytention of the appellants that the benefits should be extended to all those workmen who retired during and after 1977 when the pension scheme was first introduced in this industrial establishment.
