State Of H.P & Ors vs Rajesh Chander Sood Etc Etc

The Supreme Court examined the Himachal Pradesh Corporate Sector Employees Pension Scheme, 1999, determining that employees must opt in writing to avoid being governed by the scheme. The Court held that failure to exercise this option within the stipulated time would result in automatic regulation under the 1999 Scheme. It was clarified that only regular employees could avail benefits, and those opting for the 1999 Scheme would forfeit their provident fund contributions under the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, thus establishing the binding nature of the scheme's provisions.