Date:16/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/16/stories/2006101601720400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Pensioners favour repeal of Pension Act 1871

Staff Reporter

Memorandum to be submitted to sixth pay panel

Plea to give medical facilities on par with employees in service

BANGALORE: Members of the Coordination Committee of Central Government Pensioners' Associations, Karnataka, will submit a memorandum to the Sixth Central Pay Commission seeking repeal of the Pension Act 1871.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of representatives of various federations of pensioners' associations from all over the country, organised by the coordination committee, here on Sunday. Over a 100 pensioners representing various associations discussed several problems faced by the pensioners and finalised a common memorandum to be presented to the Sixth Pay Commission.

Joint Convenor of Karnataka P and T Pensioners' Association B.K. Gundu Rao said the Union Government had decided to repeal the Pension Act of 1871 (framed by British before Independence) in 1972. "But despite persistent efforts and several promises made by various Ministers, the Act is yet to be amended. We want to bring this to the notice of the Sixth Pay Commission so that the rules are amended at least now," he said.

Demanding that the Union Government give pensioners medical facilities on par with employees in service, the members resolved to seek improvements in medicare facilities for pensioners under the Central Government Health Scheme and Retired Employees Liberalised Health Scheme applicable to retired railway employees.

The members also wanted all Ministries and Government Departments to have a uniform criterion for treating pensioners as senior citizens. The Government should set up an anomalies committee to look into problems faced by pensioners and a permanent wage body for Central Government employees and pensioners, they said.

The memorandum will press for immediate sanction of interim relief to pensioners pending submission of report by the commission. The cut-off dates for extending concessions and benefits should be fixed by the Government with a rational consideration keeping in view the objective, Mr Rao said.

Ramachandran from the Central Government Pensioners' Confederation, Shamasunder of Bharat Pensioners Samaj, Shastry of Railway Pensioners' Federation, B. Sadashiva Rao and N. Bhaskaran of the Coordination Committee of Central Government Pensioners' Associations, Karnataka, and several others were present.