Bring back those sent under VRS: HC

chandigarh: the punjab and haryana high court has ordered reinstatement of 71 employees of various banks who were relieved by their managements despite their opting out of the vrs after applying for it. a division bench comprising justice rl anand and justice amar dutt gave the order on a bunch of petitions by the 71 employees who challenged the management''s orders relieving them under the vrs. "the scheme was not a valid piece of delegated legislation and has to be set aside," in regard to its applicability to the petitioner employees, it said, adding, "the impugned orders(of the managements) accepting the option for vrs stand quashed." the employees were from various banks including the punjab national bank, punjab & sind bank and state bank of patiala. the bench held that even if the employees had submitted resignations under vrs they can withdraw the same before the acceptance and consequently directed the banks to reinstate the petitioners with continuity of service and all consequential benefits. the court also directed the petitioners, who have received benefits under the scheme, to return the same with nine per cent interest. however, the bench made it clear that the banks were not obliged to take back those who had not approached the court. the petitioners has told the court that they had submitted option for seeking vrs under vrs-2000 scheme formulated by various banks. the scheme contained a provision that option once submitted could not be withdrawn. however, the banks before accepting the vrs option of the petitioners issued circulars, which adversely affected their entitlements with regard to quantum of pension and other benefits, and accordingly the petitioners sought recall of their option for vrs, which was, however, rejected by the bank managements, and they were relieved under the scheme.