P.N. RAVINDRAN, J.

1. The petitioner was an employee of State Bank of Travancore. She entered service on 28.7.1980. When Ext.P1 voluntary retirement scheme was introduced, the petitioner opted for voluntary retirement with effect from 31.3.2001, while she was working as Clerk/Cashier. Her application for voluntary retirement was accepted and she retired from service on 31.3.2001. She was also paid the ex-gratia and other amounts payable under the voluntary retirement scheme. Pension in terms of the State Bank of Travancore (Employees) Pension Regulations on the relevant date was also a benefit available to those employees who opt to voluntarily retire under Ext.P1 scheme. As per Regulation 29, employees having a qualifying service of 20 years are eligible for superannuation pension. As on 31.3.2001, the petitioner had 20 years, 8 months and 4 days of service. Under Regulation 18 of the State Bank of Travancore (Employees) Pension Regulations, 1995, hereinafter referred to as "the Regulations" for short, the said period of service was liable to be reckoned as 21 years of service. It is not in dispute that while in service, the petitioner had availed leave for a total period