Pensioners call for lowering the age of pension benefit to 70

Correspondent

Silchar, Dec 11: While welcoming the reported decision of the state government to provide 20% more benefits in pension to the retired persons at the age of 80 and above, a group of pensioners of Lakhipur sub-division have urged upon the state government to lower the age limit for the benefit to 70 years. They have expressed their satisfaction at the government’s circular of November 28 in the print and electronic media about the 7th Pay Commission Report. The report has brought smiles to both employees and pensioners. Lowering of age limit to 70 years will cover more pensioners and come as a relief to them during this time of high inflation.

 The pensioners have pointed out that only 8523 retired employees above the age of 80 years will be under the benefit coverage. This will deprive those who are between the age group of 60 to 79 and their number is exceedingly high. Their argument is that substantially a retired person is a retired pensioner and the age bar will be discrimitory. They further stated a teacher after appointment has to wait for years to get permanent post.

 By the time, they are nearing superannuation, even the hope of any benefit is almost dimmed. It is their expectation that the Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal along with the Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the president of All Assam Pensioners’ Association will take into account the fincial hardship of the pensioners below the age of 80 and initiate measures to include them in the upper age limit for the benefits.