#employment benefits

The Supreme Court ruled that the 35-year age limit for compassionate appointments under the National Coal Wage Agreement must be measured from the date the application process begins, not from when the claim is finally considered. This prevents employers from using procedural delays to disqualify eligible dependents of deceased workers.

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that once a judicial precedent grants service benefits to a group of employees based on their initial appointment date, those benefits must be extended to all similarly situated employees, regardless of when they were formally appointed. This reinforces the principle that administrative delays or procedural gaps cannot justify unequal treatment under service law, impacting thousands of ad-hoc appointees across Uttar Pradesh.

Karnataka High Court reaffirms that Section 4 of the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, strictly requires a minimum of 5 years of continuous service for gratuity eligibility, leaving no room for administrative discretion. The ruling sets aside gratuity orders favoring an employee with only 4 years and 9 months of service, reinforcing statutory compliance over equitable considerations for employers and employees alike.

Andhra Pradesh High Court rules that compassionate appointment is a discretionary benefit, not an enforceable right, particularly when the employer's scheme is not operational. The judgment underscores that dependents cannot compel appointment without an active policy framework, reinforcing employer autonomy in service law matters.

The Bombay High Court has ruled that excluding granddaughters from employment benefits under land acquisition policies constitutes unlawful gender discrimination, especially when grandsons are already included. This decision binds public sector entities like Coal India to apply inclusive family definitions, reinforcing Article 14 protections for female heirs in state-sponsored rehabilitation schemes.

Kerala High Court holds that employees entitled to higher gratuity under express agreement or contract cannot be denied beyond statutory cap under Section 4(3) of the Payment of Gratuity Act.