SC modifies Judgment on LIC’s ‘financial hardship’ plea [Read Order]

The Supreme Court had in its judgment rendered in March, last year, directed the Life Insurance Corporation of India to absorb the some temporary workmen in the permanent posts. It was further held that the Corporation would be liable to pay all consequential benefits including monetary benefits taking into consideration the revised pay scale in the cases of those workmen who had attained the age of superannuation.

On a Review plea by LIC, which contended that implementing the order would increase in its financial burden and that the same will be contrary to the interests of the policyholders, the Supreme Court has modified the Judgment only with regard to payment of back wages and held that only 50% of the back wages with consequential benefits will be payable.

The Court observed: “While ordinarily, the aspect of financial hardship would not be a sufficient ground to warrant our interference in the instant case, but keeping in view the fact that LIC is a statutory Corporation operating in the interest of the public at large, on the limited point of payment of full back wages to the temporary and badli workers who are entitled for regularisation, we may reconsider the same.”

The Court also directed the LIC to comply with the directions contained in the judgment with the above modifications within eight weeks.

Read the order here.