Pension and retirement benefits cannot be delayed even by a day, remarks Calcutta High Court

Pension and retirement allowances drawn by an employee after prolonged and uninterrupted service cannot be withheld even for a day. This has been the observation made by the Calcutta High Court while hearing a petition. In his May 23 order, Justice Gaurang Kanth stated that delay in these situations creates issues for retired employees, who are solely reliant on these allowances for their livelihood. This observation was made while hearing a petition filed by a class IV employee of a municipal corporation in West Bengal.

The petitioner retired on 30th November 2023, and her last month's pay was Rs 40,000. But owing to some anomalies regarding the designation of her post and the mismatch in the post, no pension has been sanctioned in her favor to date.

Justice Kanth said the court is constrained to express its grave concern over the present situation where the updated digital infrastructure aimed at bringing administrative efficiency and transparency has resulted in transitional inefficiencies, temporarily hindering the finalisation of pension benefits for Class IV employees.

In the order, he said the court deems it appropriate to remind all concerned that a pension is not an act of charity but a legally enforceable right earned by the employees as a result of their long and dedicated service. The order further said that any unreasonable delay in the disbursement of pension is unacceptable and is contrary to the principles of equality and justice.