7th Pay Commission: Plight of the pensioners

7th Pay Commission: Plight of the pensioners

The present Modi government has not been very considerate in the welfare of central government employees. During 10 years, two pay commissions have been formed and their recommendations have been accepted with minor modifications.

The last pay commission formed in 2006 had recommended a 20 per cent hike in salaries and pensions which the government doubled while implementing it in 2008. In conformity with the pay scale, the pay and allowances of the president, Vice President and Governor's have also been increased in the same proportion.

As any old pensioner, can feel that the formulators of the 7th Pay Commission have not been so considerate with the pensioners. Instead of recommending 24 per cent percent increase, the 7th pay commission copied the recommendation of the sixth pay commission.

This is: a 20 percent increase in case of pensioners 80 years of age and above, 30 percent increase in case of pensioners 85 years of age and above, 40 percent increase in case of pensioners 90 years of age and above, 50 percent increase in case of pensioners 95 years of age and above and 100 percent increase in case of pensioners 100 years of age and above.

While life expectancy of an Indian is around 66.21 years, how do they get pension on the age of 80 years and above.

Introduction of a Health Insurance Scheme for Central Government employees and pensioners was recommended by the 7th pay commission but the government was not accept it till date.

The 7th pay commission also recommended, for the benefit of pensioners residing outside the CGHS areas, CGHS should empanel those hospitals which are already empanelled under CS (MA)/ECHS for catering to the medical requirement of these pensioners on a cashless basis but the government did not took the decision in this regard.

The 7th pay commission didn’t enhance Medical Allowance Rs 500 per month and the government referred this case to Finance Secretary committee of allowances to study and to give the suggestion.

The pensioners are a spent-up force and are not in a position to exert any influence. Therefore, it is their hope that the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will take a rational view on the plight of the senior citizens and increase the pensioners’ above benefits.

TST