JUDGMENT

Since the issues arising in these writ petitions are one and the same, they were heard together and are disposed of by this common judgment. For the sake of convenience, unless otherwise specifically indicated, the exhibits referred to herein below shall be as obtaining in W.P.(C)

No.2247/2010.

2. The petitioners in these writ petitions are employees of Badagara Co-operative Bank (hereinafter referred to as 'Bank', for short), a primary Co-operative society, registered under the provisions of the Kerala Co- operative Societies Act, 1969. The Bank is an establishment under the Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 (EPF &MP Act, in short) with establishment code KR/KK/2256. The petitioners were members of the Employees Family Pension Scheme, 1971 under the EPF &MP Act from its commencement on

01.03.1971. The Employees Family Pension Scheme, 1971 was repealed by the Employees Pension Scheme, 1995 and the petitioners became members of that scheme. The rate of employers' as well employees' contribution payable to the Provident Fund is 12%. Out of the employers' contribution of 12%, 8.33% is remitted to the pension fund.

3. The Government of Kerala has issu