Authority: Calcutta High Court (High Court at Calcutta)

Order Date: 24 July 2026

Case Overview

  • Petitioner: Ms. Trisha Mukherjee, daughter of a former employee of Eastern Coal Fields Limited (ECL) who died in 1995.
  • Respondent: M/S Eastern Coal Fields Limited (ECL) and others.
  • The petitioner, a minor in 1995, was not appointed on compassionate grounds after her mother’s death.
  • In December 2004, at approximately 13 years of age, she exercised the option under NCWA‑V to receive Monthly Monetary Cash Compensation (MMCC) and communicated this to ECL.
  • Subsequent letters in 2020 sought compassionate appointment; ECL rejected. In 2021 she renewed request for MMCC, which remained unpaid, prompting the writ petition.
  • Respondent argued compensation could not be claimed from 1995 because the option was exercised only in 2004.
  • The Court examined submissions and concluded the petitioner is entitled to MMCC from the date the option was exercised (December 2004).

Final Outcome

  • The Court directs ECL to disburse the entire MMCC amount accrued from December 2004 up to July 2026, together with interest calculated at a reasonable rate.
  • Interest is to be computed by the disbursing authority and paid by 30 September 2026.
  • Monthly MMCC payments shall commence for the month starting August 2026 and continue thereafter.
  • The writ petition (WPO/238/2025) is disposed of without any order as to costs.
  • An urgent certified copy of the order may be supplied upon compliance with formalities.

Topics: Compensation, Labor Law