A year since HC order, hundreds of DU retirees yet to get pension

NEW DELHI: An administrative goof-up has reportedly deprived hundreds of Delhi University retirees of their pension since 2014, with the administration telling its faculty that it cannot abide by an August 2016 Delhi High Court order to pay the retirees due to lack of funds.

"We appeal to you to look into the matter and have the appropriate grant releases so that our retired employees get their due at the earliest. As it is, an inordinate delay in implementation of the judgment has caused severe financial hardship and trauma to them. Many have lost their lives while waiting for their pension, which is after all their right," said Nandita Narain, president, Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA).

A total of 636 teaching and non-teaching staff are bound to be affected by the University's delay in releasing payments. Of these, 518 are retired personnel, awaiting their pension, while 118 are active.

"It seems that the Vice-Chancellor either was not aware of the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) case which had, in effect, already rendered those circulars illegal, or, he did not understand its implications," Amarnath Gupta, a retired Associate Professor from the University and an active member of DUTA Pension Committee, said.

"In spite of being directed by the Delhi High Court to start disbursing pension, which ruled it in its August judgement last year, the University has not budged," Gupta complained.

Despite a year having passed since the High Court order, the University is yet to resume pensions of its employees.

The varsity is also likely to challenge the High Court verdict, as per directions received from the Union HRD Ministry.

Gupta also added that a contempt of court notice was slapped on the University by the High Court for not adhering to its order.

"During its first hearing on January 19, the varsity cited lack of funds for not being able to disburse pensions and the court reprimanded it for not fulfilling its responsibility as an employer," Gupta stated.