Woes of UGC pensioners

Among pensioners of both Central and State governments, the UGC pensioners are grossly neglected and treated as “Minority Pensioners” even though they deserve urgent attention and immediate redressal of their pay-scale problems.

Since the introduction of UGC scales, the Central government has been announcing revised pay-scales for every 10 years in line with the central pay revision. In the case of UGC pensioners, despite announcement they take at least three years for implementation, thus causing much agony and frustration among them.

For every revision, the Centre extends the benefits of 80% financial assistance for 5 years to all states. But in the latest 7th UGC pay-scale recommendations, only 50% of the grant has been sanctioned for only a period of 3 years and 3 months. It is against the letter and spirit of the established practice followed in the last six pay-scale revisions.

In the case of AP State employees, not only the 10th PRC scales were implemented but even the outstanding arrears of Rs 3,920 crore are also granted by the cabinet at a meeting held on 02-04-2018 at the Secretariat despite a heavy financial crunch. Further the 11th PRC is also accepted to be constituted soon and it speaks volumes of the welfare measures taken for the state government employees, particularly its pensioners. As per the 10th PRC recommendations, persons of 70 years are likely to obtain an additional quantum of pension soon as informed by NGO Pensioners’ President Someswara Rao.

The UGC pensioners are deprived of the benefits of 10th PRC enjoyed by the State employees as well as the 7th PRC scales implemented to Central government employees. The UGC pensioners are in a quandary as they get neither Central government pay-scales nor State PRC scales. The Central government should render justice to this minority group among pensioners for pay delayed is pay denied.

In the parity of pension pertaining to pre-2006 retirees, the Central government has yet to issue final orders. Already the benefit of revised orders of pension removing the anomalies is implemented to other employees in the Central government barring the UGC pensioners. Various Retired University and College Teachers Associations have already represented to MHRD and Secretary, Department of Pension and Pension Welfare, for the extension of amended orders to the fitment formula to pre-2006 pensioners in UGC scales.

Non-implementation of amended orders to pre-2006 retirees will adversely affect the fixation of quantum of pension in the UGC scales of pay as applicable from 1-1-2016. At the recently held meeting of RCTA, Vizag Unit, P V Lakshmipathi, the Secretary, gave application forms for the affected pre-2006 retirees to file a writ in the event of non-issue of amended orders. It is ardently hoped that the Central government will not coerce the aged pensioners to resort to seek legal remedy.

The representations of various Retired College and University Teachers’ Associations for issuing orders of pay revisions of 7th UGC pay-scales have received scant attention and the orders are eagerly awaited without further delay.

The present Central government has been mouthing sweet platitudes for over years about the welfare measures envisaged for the teaching community particularly in the realm of higher education. But now the high hopes of teachers of higher education have been belied and the promises of Central government turned out to be sour and illusory. In the case of senior UGC pensioners, time is fleeting and procrastination dampens the expectations causing much despondency and desperation.

The previous governments have never deviated from the customary practice of extending 80% financial assistance for a period of 5 years. Now, the Modi government should come forward to increase the quantum of assistance for a period of 10 years particularly to the bifurcated State AP. It should act swiftly to prevent the erosion of faith and confidence reposed in the Central government.

When almost all the pensioners are given the 7th pay-scale, one fails to understand the reasons for the inordinate delay in the issue of orders of revised pension to them. A senior UGC pensioner sadly reflects, to quote a line from Shelley, “To me that cup has been dealt in another measure”

Lastly, the press which plays a vital role in advocating the cause of minorities in India should come forward to lend voice to the voiceless Retired University and College Teachers now contemptuously treated as “Minority Pensioners.”

By: N K Visweswara Rao