Ex-servicemen want CAT decision implemented

BALASORE: The Ex-defence Employees’ Welfare Association (EDEWA) here has demanded  implementation of CAT decision of November 2011 regarding fixation of revised pension in regard to pre-2006 pensioners.The pre-2006 pensioners (those who retired after 1996 and before 2006) have not been treated on a par with post-2006 pensioners as far as revised pension fixation was concerned.A senior association member BP Mohanty said the resolution of August 2008 by which the Government accepted the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission report and defined the minimum revised pension as ‘revised pension’, in no case, shall be lower than 50 per cent of the minimum pay in the pay band plus the grade pay corresponding to the pre-revised pay scale from which the pensioner had retired. “Surprisingly, in the office memorandum in October 2008, the Department of Pension and Pension Welfare formulated a fitment table by misinterpreting the Government decision on fixation of pension for pre-2006, pre-1996 and pre-1986 Pensioners,” he pointed out.The pensioners, who retired before 2006, he said, are losing as their minimum pay is pegged at only 50 per cent of minimum of pay band (and 50 per cent of grade pay) corresponding to pre-revised pay scale in which the employee had retired.Coming to the rescue of pre-2006 pensioners, the CAT had, however, quashed the office October memorandum and ordered revised pension fixation to the pre-2006 pensioners based on previous resolution. “Pre-2006 pensioners will be benefited to some extent if not on a par with post-2006 pensioners, if government implements the CAT decision,” Mohanty hoped.The association, which held its third general body meeting recently, also demanded that the medical allowance of ` 300 a month for the pensioners be increased to ` 500 in view of the rising treatment costs. “The Ministry of Railways in the last budget, had increased the concession for men above the age of 60 to 40 per cent. We demand that the same may be made 50 per cent like in the case of senior women citizens,” the members said.Association president KC Mallick was present.