Kerala HC slams govt for withholding tech varsity former vice-chancellor Ciza Thomas's pensionary benefits

Kochi: Kerala high court on Thursday criticised the state govt for its refusal to disburse pensionary benefits to Ciza Thomas, the former vice-chancellor of the Kerala Technological University.

A bench of Justices A Muhamed Mustaque and Johnson John directed the state govt to provide reasons for the non-disbursal of Thomas's gratuity and commuted pension benefits. The matter was adjourned to next Tuesday. The court was hearing a petition filed by Thomas, seeking a directive to release her pensionary benefits and monthly pension.

Ciza Thomas, who was serving as senior joint director in the directorate of technical education, was appointed as vice-chancellor of the Kerala Technological University by the then chancellor, Arif Muhamed Khan, in Nov 2022. Her appointment followed the chancellor's rejection of the state govt's recommendation to appoint the principal secretary of the higher education department to the post.

Thomas retired from service on March 31, 2023. On the same day, she was issued a charge memo alleging that she had assumed charge as vice-chancellor without govt approval. The high court later quashed the proceedings related to the charge memo and the decision was upheld by the Supreme Court. However, the state govt continued to deny her DCRG (death cum retirement gratuity) and other retirement benefits, prompting her to approach high court again.

While hearing the matter on Thursday, the division bench instructed the state govt to clarify the reasons for the denial of her pensionary benefits. The court also made strong oral observations, stating: "We may have different opinions, but we have to coexist. The state can't extend such treatment to someone who has served the govt. She retired in 2023, and two years have already passed. How is she expected to survive?"