New Delhi: The Supreme Court on July 31 gave time till August 5 to Tamil Nadu government to reconsider the cases of nearly 30,000 employees, who had not been reinstated.

A Bench comprising Justice M B Shah and Justice A R Lakshmanan gave time to the state government till August 5, but reiterated that the employees had no legal, fundamental or equitable right to go on strike.

When counsel on behalf of the employees brought to court's notice that Jayalalithaa government was withholding payment of pensions till it determined whether an employee went on strike or not, the Bench observed, "That is something wrong. Do not withhold payment of pension."

The employees union had alleged that though Tamil Nadu government had assured the Supreme Court that the number of employees, who were not to be reinstated for their alleged involvement in violence or instigation thereon, would not exceed 5,000, it had exceeded the said number by not taking back more than 31,000 employees.

The Bench, which was to give a detailed order on July 31 on the strike issue, before pronouncement deferred pronouncement of its order and posted the matter for further hearing on August 5.

PTI