Pensions and family pensions of GoI pensioners are revised
based on certain fitment formulae, along with the revision of
the pay scales of serving employees. GoI pensioners and
family pensioners get 100 per cent neutralisation in DA/ DR
since January 1996.
However, the pensioners of LIC and banks are denied revision
of pension. Pre- 1997 pensioners do not get 100 per cent neutralisation
in DA/ DR ; they get it ‘on tapering percentage’
basis. The pensioners in their 70s- 80s, get half or less than
half pension, compared to those in their sixties.
More than a dozen petitions filed by this category of
pensioners in various high courts and in the Supreme Court
during the last 15 years are pending.
The SC has held as far back as 1982 ( D. S. Nakara and
others v/ s UoI ) that the pensioners should not be
discriminated on the basis of date of retirement. The pension
should be revised periodically to take care of the fall in rupee
value and inflation.
It is strange and difficult to apprehend why petitions dealing
with the same matter are not disposed of by the courts
quickly applying the cardinal principle laid down by the
Supreme Court in the case aforesaid : no discrimination in
pension based on date of retirement.
Would the courts kindly resolve immediately the
discrimination in pension to improve the standard of living
of the pensioners in the twilight of their life?
(The Free Press Journal Dated 06-03-2014)
