In Brief
A retired ITI employee challenged the non-payment of his privilege leave encashment of Rs. 1,79,045 for 198 days after his retirement in 2014. The employer cited economic difficulties, though the funds had been requisitioned from the Government of India. The Court directed immediate release of the encashment amount with 18% interest from May 2014, holding that withholding admitted statutory dues violates Article 21. The Court also urged the Government to promptly process the requisition for funds to enable the employer to pay all retired employees' dues, emphasizing public employers' duty to discharge such obligations promptly despite financial constraints.
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