New Delhi, Sep 30: The Railway Senior Citizens body demanded the Centre to implement the recommendation of a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Pensioner’s grievances for increasing additional pension by 5-20% from age 65 to 80.
In a memorandum the Finance Minister dated 5 September 2023, the Railway Senior Citizens Welfare Society (RSCWS) said the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Pensioner’s Grievances in its 110th report vide recommendation No. 3.28 had recommended that “The committee is of the view that Government should sympathetically consider the demand of Pensioner’s for 5% additional quantum of pension on attaining the age of 65 years, 10% on 70 years, 15% on 75 years and 20% on 80 years to the pensioners” as per the table below:
Further, the The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare vide a letter dated 4 April 2022 had stressed for early implementation of the above recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee.
The RSCWS said the Government seems to be in agreement with the above recommendations for additional Pension from the age of 65, 70 and 75 years but has not implemented the same due to its financial implications, as mentioned in the 120th Report of Parliamentary Committee on Pensioners grievances.
“It is, therefore, requested that above said recommendations may please be implemented for grant of additional pension of 5% on attaining 65 years of age, 10% from 70 years of age and 15 % on attaining 75 years of age, in line with 20% of additional pension as already granted on attaining the age of 80 years,” RSCWS said.
The memorandum further said that pensioners continue to suffer due to the ever-rising cost of sustenance in old age due to failing health, and ever rising cost of Medicines besides those of other social and family responsibilities.
“Financial implications of the proposal for additional Pension may please be reviewed sympathetically keeping in view the hardship of the Pensioners with every passing year of age. The Central may please consider the proposal sympathetically and provide for requisite funds for the same,” it said.
