In a strong message to public bodies, the Rajasthan High Court has directed the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation (RSRTC) to clear long-pending weekly rest dues of a retired employee, along with interest.
Justice Ashok Kumar Jain, while allowing a writ petition filed by Mohan Singh, made it clear that financial difficulty cannot be used as an excuse to deny legitimate payments to a retired workman.
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Background of the Case
Mohan Singh, a resident of Ajmer district, had taken voluntary retirement (VRS) on April 7, 2014. After retirement, a dispute arose regarding his unpaid service benefits.
The matter was settled before the National Lok Adalat on December 12, 2015. In that settlement, RSRTC had agreed to clear all dues as per rules within nine months, along with 6% annual interest.
According to the record (page 4 of the order ), the settlement clearly stated that the Corporation would reimburse all admissible amounts after examining each head of payment.
However, Singh later approached the High Court claiming that while most payments were made, dues for weekly rest from 1998 to 2011 remained unpaid. A certificate dated April 23, 2014, issued by the Manager (Operation), Ajmer Depot, supported his claim.
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Corporation’s Defence
The RSRTC relied on a circular dated November 3, 2021. The circular laid down the order of priority for payments in view of the Corporation’s financial condition.
It stated that salaries, pensions, diesel expenses, essential maintenance, and certain retirement dues would be prioritized. The circular also referred to past office orders which discouraged accumulation of weekly rest dues and required compensatory leave instead of monetary payment.
Based on this circular, the Corporation argued that similar petitions had earlier been disposed of by coordinate benches of the High Court.
Court’s Observations
Justice Jain was not convinced.
In open court, the judge observed that financial hardship cannot override a lawful settlement. The order (page 4 ) records a sharp remark:
“It may be due to mismanagement, poor management, or absence of professional management that the RSRTC is forced to face financial difficulties, but the same has nothing to do with the right and claim of any workman.”
The Court noted that the petitioner had already retired before the 2021 circular came into existence. Therefore, the circular could not be used to deny payments that had already been settled in 2015.
Justice Jain further said that drivers, conductors, and support staff form the backbone of the public transport system. Denying rightful dues on the ground of insufficient funds was unacceptable.
The Court emphasized that once a settlement award is passed in Lok Adalat, it binds the parties. A public corporation cannot simply avoid compliance.
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The Decision
After examining the material on record, the Court found that there was “no defence” available to the Corporation regarding liability for weekly rest dues from 1998 to 2011.
Allowing the writ petition, the Court directed RSRTC to make payment for the weekly rest period certified in Annexure-1 (as noted on page 5 ).
The amount must be paid along with interest, as agreed in the Lok Adalat settlement dated December 12, 2015.
The Court ordered that payment be made within two months from the date of receipt of the order.
With these directions, the writ petition was disposed of.
Case Title: Mohan Singh v. Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation & Ors.
Case No.: S.B. Civil Writ Petition No. 12751/2020
Decision Date: 03 February 2026
