Maharashtra pensioners association president Madhukar Lokur on Saturday called for implementation of sixth pay commission pension rules in Maharashtra.
Lokur was speaking on problems of pensioners at a talk organised by the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MCCIA).
"As per the sixth pay commission, new pension payment rules have been implemented by the Union government, but not in Maharashtra," said Lokur. Around ten lakh pensioners in Maharashtra, as per the sixth pay commission, are entitled to a minimum pension of Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000 along with dearness allowance, medical allowance, gratuity and the like.
Almost ten lakh individuals and their families in Maharashtra are entitled to pension.
"Sadly, one lakh of these pensioners in our state are deprived. Out of these, 75,000 are women. Most of the pensioners are not aware of the new rule that entitles them to a doubled pension," said Lokur.
"Today, details of the location and time of an individual’s retirement are of prime importance in determining their pension," he said while explaining the technicalities and regulations related to pension payment.
In March 2009, the Maharashtra pensioners filed a writ petition in the Bombay High Court that demanded implementation of pension payment as per the sixth pay commission in Maharashtra. The judgement is expected sometime in March 2011.
"Our writ petition demands the lowest minimum payment of Rs 2,882 to every pensioner, and other procedures related to their pension amount, the gratuity amount for the state be raised to Rs 10 lakh as is the case with central government, facilitate dearness allowance per pensioner, and provide increased pension as per the new rules to pensioners above 80 years of age," said Lokur.
Read more: Implement sixth pay commission pension recommendation – The Times of India