Danishwar Hameed
Kulgam, June 23: Pensioners from Kulgam, under the banner of the All India State Pensioners Federation (AISPF), have submitted a memorandum to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India through the Deputy Commissioner Kulgam Athar Amir Khan , urging the central government to reconsider its stance on pension parity for all retired employees, regardless of their date of retirement.
The appeal follows the recent passage of the Finance Bill 2025, which validates the central government’s power to determine pension distinctions based on retirement dates. The pensioners argue that this bill effectively overlooks the principle of equitable treatment in pension benefits, especially for those who retired before 01-01-2016.
The memorandum highlights that while the 7th Central Pay Commission recommended uniform pension benefits to all retirees, the implementation lacks equity, causing disparities between old and new pensioners. The pensioners assert that such differentiation violates the Supreme Court's judgment in the D.S. Nakra case (1980), which emphasized pensions as a part of socio-economic justice for the elderly.
The petition also underscores the constitutional importance of pensions, stating that under the 44th Constitutional Amendment, pensions should be treated as a property right, and any amendments to the Civil Services (Pension) Rules dating back to 1972 must be thoroughly justified.
“Creating a difference in the pensions by the present government under your leadership would not be morally and appropriate,” the letter states, appealing directly to the Prime Minister for intervention.
The pensioners have requested that the government uphold the principles of fairness and welfare and direct relevant authorities to restore parity in pensionary benefits. They fear that without immediate attention, many affected retirees will be unjustly deprived of their rightful entitlements.
