In a significant legal development, a judgment was passed regarding the implementation of a pension scheme by the Punjab Government. The Court’s analysis and decision in this case have far-reaching implications for pension eligibility and cut-off dates. Discover more about this landmark ruling and its impact on pension beneficiaries.
Facts
- Request for altering the cut-off date was denied by the Government due to financial burden.
- Pension scheme proposed by Punjab Government in 1991, implemented in 1999.
- Cut-off date for scheme implementation: 01.07.1999.
- Writ Petition for scheme implementation from 1995 was dismissed by High Court.
- The Government cannot deprive the 214 persons included in the list of the benefit of the scheme for any reason.
- A direction was given to pay pension to the 214 eligible persons from 01.2018 onwards, amounting to Rs.3.79 Crores annually.
- The judgment dated 30.01.2018 clarified that the Appellants are not entitled to arrears before 01.01.2018.
- M.A. No.2673 of 2019 was filed seeking clarification as the Appellants were not granted pension despite being in the list of 214.
- Applicant No.1 retired on 30.04.1994 and Applicant No.2 retired on 20.09.1997 as per the M.A.
- Civil Appeal No.1298 of 2018 was filed to challenge the High Court’s judgment, citing the reason that Appellant No.1 retired before 11.05.1995.
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Arguments
- The Court directed the State of Punjab to obtain instructions regarding the actual financial liability of the State.
- The learned Senior Counsel for the Appellants mentioned that only 100 eligible employees are surviving.
- Ms. Uttara Babbar, learned counsel for the State, confirmed the information about the number of surviving employees.
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Decision
- Ms. Uttara Babbar, counsel for the State, argued that only individuals who retired between 11.05.1995 and 30.06.1999 should receive pension benefits.
- The Civil Appeal was decided based on Ms. Uttara Babbar’s statement, made on behalf of the State Government, that 214 individuals are eligible for the pension scheme.
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Case Title: DARSHAN SINGH Vs. THE STATE OF PUNJAB SECRETARY RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PANCHAYAT (2021 INSC 41)
Case Number: MA-002673 / 2019
