Pension  – Struggle of Hamal of Savitribai Phule Pune University for pension after 30 years of service – Salutary observations of the High Court are “eye opener” for the authorities of Government.

The High Court was at pains to know the plight of the petitioner and at the approach of the respondent nos.1 to 3 in the matter.

The petitioner was appointed on daily wages basis in the year 1983, continued in service and regularly appointed.   The Education Officer had also granted approval.  He had drawn salary in regular pay scale while in service. He was given one promotion on 31.3.2021.

The documents, as noted by the High Court, show exemplary service record and also given meddles for his dedicated service by Pune University.

The proposal for grant of pension was sent in 2021 and it was entangled into three years of correspondence between the University and the Higher Education Department.

With the intervention of the High Court that finally the pension was granted by the respondent nos.1 to 3.

However, it is essential to quote observations in para 13 of the judgment “While parting we may also record that this case is certainly an eye opener that if the officers promptly consider the grievances of the pensioners like the petitioner, there would be no need for the pensions to approach the Courts.   We may observe that many of such issues, in fact, do not require adjudication and can stand resolved at the level of the department, provided that there is willingness to do so, of the officers of the State Government.

Judgment dated 21.11.2023 of the High Court of Bombay in W.P.No.3753 of 2023 in Jayram Baburao More Vs. State of Maharashtra and others.