Agartala: May 23:Tripura MLA Sudip Roy Barman has called on Chief Minister Manik Saha to intervene in a pressing issue affecting thousands of state government pensioners. At the heart of the matter is a discrepancy in how pension deductions are calculated for those who have opted to commute a portion of their pension.
According to current state regulations, pensioners who sell up to 40% of their basic pension to receive a lump-sum amount must undergo monthly deductions for a period of 180 months (15 years). However, a recent Supreme Court ruling has clarified that such deductions should only be made for 128 months, after which full pension benefits must be restored.
The apex court ruling was in response to appeals filed by central government pensioners and emphasized that this revised deduction period applies to state government pensioners as well. Despite the court’s clear directive, Tripura has yet to implement the ruling, resulting in prolonged financial losses for pensioners in the state.
Roy Barman stressed that this oversight affects approximately 50,000 retired employees in Tripura, many of whom depend on their full pension for day-to-day expenses and medical needs. He criticized the existing 180-month deduction policy as unjust and urged the state government to bring its practices in line with the Supreme Court’s verdict.
Highlighting the urgency of the matter, Roy Barman appealed directly to Chief Minister Saha, urging him to take immediate action. He emphasized that correcting the deduction timeline would not only provide financial relief to thousands of elderly citizens but also demonstrate the government’s commitment to justice and welfare.
With pressure mounting and legal precedent clearly favoring the pensioners, stakeholders now await the state government’s decision on this critical issue.
