This octogenarian still fights for his rights

The 88-year-old Abdul Gaffar, an ex-serviceman and a resident of Risalabazar at Golconda Fort Hyderabad, joined the Nizam’s army in 1948 which was popularly known as colours service. He worked for them for 3 years and 147 days before joining the Indian Army as a sepoy in 1951. He then served the army for 11 years and 330 days.

With a total work experience of 15 years and 111 days, Abdul was discharged with an exemplary service record on 25-02-1963 and then started earning a monthly pension of Rs 17. He subsequently joined the VST (Vazir Sultan Tobacco) industry as a security guard and then retired in 1984 after successfully completing 22 years of service.

Abdul is now a contended man, drawing army pension for the past 50 years which currently stands at Rs 9,184. Apart from his exemplary service, Abdul has been praised for his work in the past few years. He fought a lone battle to attain the additional pension allowance, eligible for ex-army personnel who have crossed the age of 80. The amount of this pension is over and above the regular pension. Abdul says that most retired army personnel are unaware of this pension scheme above the age of 80. He says that even if they knew about it, by the time they follow up with the concerned authorities, it becomes too late for them.

Abdul blames the Zilla Sainik Welfare offices, located in all the 23 districts in Andhra Pradesh, for not coordinating with the pension disbursing offices of the Defence Ministry in other states to claim the additional pension allowance. He says that large amount of funds meant for the welfare of the aged, remains unutilised and lapses.

According to Abdul, the office memorandum 38/ 37/ 2008 of P & PW ( A ) dated 02-09-2008 states that, on the recommendation of Sixth Central Pay Commission on Retirement Benefit, older pensioners require a better deal because their needs, especially those relating to health, increase with age and thus the quantum of pension available to the old pensioners should be increased.