LIC PENSIONERS CHRONICLE

DEAR ALL,

The news item that appeared in the "The Hindu"  is reproduced below:

Although the laws of United States may be different from those of India, one principle that has been brought out clearly in the California Court ruling is that the interests of pensioners are more

sacrosanct than those of working employees. This is quite plausible considering that pensioners constitute a weaker section of senior citizens with no bargaining power or options of job-hopping to greener pastures like in-service employees and vulnerability to adverse effects of ageing and serious ailments. The ruling places an implied emphasis on safeguarding social security for pensioners. 

The practice followed in India in terms of doling out more liberal benefits to the in-service employees vis-à-vis the pensioners is at complete variance with the principle enunciated in the ruling.

One thing that stands out arising out of this ruling is that financial unaffordability of the employer cannot be a valid ground for denying equitable pension to retirees by a public organization like LIC.Of course in case of LIC the question of financial unaffordability does not arise considering the financial indicators available in public domain.

Let us hope that Indian Courts also adopt such principles while considering cases involving pensioners for delivering justice.

With greetings,

C H Mahadevan