JUDGMENT Dated this the 5^th day of February, 2026 The petitioner retired from the services of the Chittur Primary Co-operative Agricultural and Rural Development Bank Limited as a Secretary on 31.03.2024.

2. The petitioner states that while she was in service, she was enrolled under Employees Group Gratuity Life Assurance Scheme along with other employees. On her retirement, the amount accumulated to the credit of the petitioner in the Group Gratuity Scheme was ₹26,97,369/-.

3. As the upper limit for payment of Gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act , 1972 was ₹20 lakhs, the petitioner was initially paid only ₹20 lakhs towards Gratuity. Thereafter, the upper limit was enhanced by the Government of India to ₹25 lakhs after the retirement of the petitioner, but with retrospective effect from 01.01.2024. The petitioner made a request to the respondents to pay the additional amount of ₹5 lakhs payable to the petitioner in view of the decision taken by the Government of India. Accordingly, the Managing Committee of the Society allowed the petitioner to draw the balance amount of ₹5 lakhs towards Gratuity.

4. The petitioner states that subsequently, the Secretary to the 4^th respondent