1. Heard the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner, as well as the learned counsels appearing on behalf of the respondents.

2. It has been stated that the petitioner had joined as a driver in the Cheran Transport Corporation, on 24.04.1981, on daily wages. He was made permanent and granted the time scale of pay, from 01.11.1982. He was enrolled as a member of the provident fund, with effect from 01.11.1981. The provident fund contributions were also deducted from the salary of the petitioner, from the date of his enrollment as a member of the provident fund. On bifurcation of the Cheran Transport Corporation, he had become an employee of the Jeeva Transport Corporation. Finally, he was working at the Erode Town Branch-III of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Coimbatore) Ltd., Erode Region, Erode, the second respondent herein.

3. It has been further stated that, as per the Voluntary Retirement Scheme formulated and agreed to by the parties concerned, under Section 12(3) of the Industrial Disputes Act,1947, and as per the circular issued by the second respondent, a workman, who had completed 15 years of qualifying service and completed 50 years of