Implement Union Govt’s decision on 7th pay commission, say pensioners

Dimapur, October 7 (MExN): The Dimapur District Pensioners' Association (DDPA) has appealed to the Nagaland State Government to implement the Central Government’s decision on the recommendations of the 7th central pay commission.  

It also urged for the revision of pension for pre-2006 pensioners as well as family pensioners.  

While the government of Nagaland follows in toto the pension regulation of the central government for her employees, no action has been taken on the Government of India’s two circulars dated March 5, 2015 and April 6, 2016, maintained DDPA in a press statement.  

The circulars issued by Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances and Pensions, Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare deal with “revision of pension for pre-2006 pensioners.”  

With no alternatives, DDPA is making an urgent appeal to the government to “implement and to provide relief to the pensioners in this day of economic hardships,” the Association noted in the statement issued by its president I Meren Longchar.  

It further pointed out that pension is neither a bounty or a matter of grace depending upon the sweet will of the employer nor an ex-gratia payment.  

This is payment for the past service rendered, DDPA said, adding that the court of law has “authoritatively ruled the pension is a right and the payment of it does not depend upon the discretion of the government.”  

It is governed by the rules and the government servant coming within these rules is entitled to claim pension, it said.  

The Association also noted that as first step pension is treated not only as a reward for past services but with a view of helping the employees to avoid destitution in old age.  

The pensioners mostly depend on this hard earned money for the daily sustenance of our family, it added. In this connection, the pensioners’ association requested the state government to release the pending arrears as stated above. 

If no affirmative action is taken by the state government immediately, there will be no other alternative except to seek redressal of their grievances through legal measures, it said.  

The statement added there are certain instances in which the Supreme Court of India has given ruling that pensioners will be paid interest for any delay in payment and are entitled to get 18% interest per annum.