JUDGMENT

Manish Choudhury, J. - Heard Mr. P.K. Das, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. P.K. Roy, learned counsel appearing for all the respondents.

2. This writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India is preferred for not granting the benefit pertaining to an Ex-Gratia Benefit Scheme formulated by the respondent Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Limited under the name and style of 'Agrani Samman'. The scheme 'Agrani Samman' was published by the respondent ONGC vide a notification in the English daily newspaper, "the Times of India" in its issue dated 14.01.2003. In the said notification, it was declared that the respondent ONGC authorities took a decision to introduce 'Agrani Samman' Ex-Gratia Benefit Scheme to the ex-employees in recognition of the valuable contribution made by them as pioneers to the cause of ONGC.

3. The scheme was extended to the following two categories of employees:-(i) eligible pre- 15.10.1959 employees who superannuated/voluntarily retired/died while in service (ii) those eligible post-14.10.1959 employees who superannuated/voluntarily retired/died while in service prior to 01.04.1991 (in case of Executive) and 16.11.1995 (in case