JUDGMENT :

SUNIL THOMAS, J.

1. Respondent herein was an employee of the Kerala State Electricity Board, till his retirement from service on 1995. Thereafter, he practiced as a lawyer. While so, he was appointed as a member of the Kerala State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission, by notification dated 25.06.2007, for a period of 5 years. He completed his tenure on 25.06.2012, and was relieved from the Commission with effect from 25.06.2012.

2. The appellant Government, issued a notification dated 28.11.2016, No. 175/2016/Fin, by which, members of statutory commissions other than the Government employees were granted the benefit of pension subject to completion of minimum tenure of 2 years. The benefit was extended to persons who were appointed to the Commission after 01.01.2006. Respondent claimed the benefit through his various communications. In the meanwhile, by Government Order No. 120/2020/P&ARD dated 04.05.2020, the benefit of pension was given to 25 named persons. It was reiterated that the benefit was extended only to persons who were appointed to statutory commissions after 01.01.2006 and who were not Government employees. However, the name of the respondent did not find a p