Full Judgment
2. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that though the petitioner's mother suffered paralytic attack and subsequently died on 17.09.1999, she has submitted her leave application along with medical certificate, even before the death, claiming grant of leave to the petitioner's mother. But, subsequently, the petitioner's mother passed away. Immediately after she passed away, the petitioner being a only daughter and legal heir of the deceased mother, presented her application seeking benefit of the disbursement of the benefit under the Family Benefit Fund Scheme, which was regularly contributed by the petitioner's mother. The respondent initially sought for some clarifications by informing the petitioner that the benefit accrued under the Family Benefit Fund Scheme, would be given to the petitioner, but after sometime, wrongly dismissed the claim of the petitioner by way of the impugned order. Therefore, the learned counsel appearing for the petitioner submits that as the respondent has not mentioned, whether the respondent has taken any action for not granting the benefit accrued under the Family Benefit Fund Scheme, they cannot deny the said benefit, since the petitioner's mother has regularly contributed the Family Benefit Fund for the last 17 years of service.
3. On the other hand, learned counsel appearing for the respondent submits that the petitioner remained absent for about 286 days and subsequently died due to Paralytic attack on 17.09.1999. In that view of the matter, the refusal to reimburse the benefit under the Family Benefit Fund Scheme, cannot be found fault with. On that basis, prayed for dismissal of the writ petition.
4. Heard the learned counsel appearing on either side and perused the materials available on record.
5. The petitioner's mother Late Jeyaragini, while serving as Child Welfare Organiser in Thirumalai Centre, Chetpet Block, Thiruvannamalai District, expired on 17.09.1999. Before the death took place, the petitioner's mother immediately after suffering from the above said disease, submitted a detailed representation along with medical certificate for grant of leave. It was not denied nor the respondent filed any counter to show that the service of the petitioner was terminated or any legal action was taken for her unauthorised absence. Therefore, it goes to show that the petitioner having contributed to the Family Benefit Fund during her 17 years of service, she is entitled to get back the same benefit. Accordingly, the writ petition is allowed by setting aside the impugned order passed by the respondent with a further direction to the respondent to disburse the amount due to the petitioner within a period of eight weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order under the Family Benefit Fund on account of the death of the petitioner's mother. No Costs.