JUDGMENT

The petitioner, the Principal of Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, an unaided Engineering College functioning under the management of KSRTC, has preferred this writ petition challenging Exhibit P3 order passed by the Controlling Authority under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’), which was affirmed by the Appellate Authority through Exhibit P4 order.

2. It is the contention of the petitioner institution that, as per Exhibit P1 [Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering (SCTCE) Employees Gratuity Scheme Rules], in particular Clause (VI), the gratuity payable to an employee is limited to Rs. 7 lakhs. In the instant case, the 4^th respondent employee was granted Rs. 7 lakhs as gratuity, which was accepted without demur. The application preferred by the 4^th respondent was disposed of by the Authorities, finding his entitlement under the Act.

3. It is contended