The state government has disappointed the pensioners in the matter of Dearness Relief (DR). Recently, the employees of Madhya Pradesh state were given a five percent additional dearness allowance (DA), but pensioners were given only three percent additional dearness relief. Angry and disappointed pensioners have appealed to the Chief Minister.
A letter has also been written demanding five percent dearness relief to the. Also, the Chief Minister has been requested to intervene in this matter. So, what is this whole matter, and why are pensioners feeling cheated? Let’s know in detail.
Less dearness relief to pensioners
The Finance Department has recently issued payment orders including arrears of three percent dearness allowance to government employees from July 1, 2024, and two percent dearness allowance from January 1, 2025.
But, orders have been issued to give three percent dearness relief to pensioners/family pensioners from March 1, 2025, instead of July 1, 2024. Pensioners have called it unfortunate. They say that when inflation has increased for everyone, then why this difference in relief?
Allegation of economic exploitation
Ganesh Dutt Joshi, patron of Pensioners Welfare Association, has alleged that in the name of consent of Chhattisgarh, the government has been exploiting pensioners economically for many years.
State President Amod Saxena, accusing both the governments of imposing Section 49 Schedule 6 of the Madhya Pradesh State Reorganization Act 2000 on pensioners, said that when both the states are giving pension without consent since November 2000, then why is the consent of both necessary before giving dearness relief.
The question of pensioners is justified in that when a pension is being given without any restriction, then why are there obstacles to dearness relief?
Both governments are violating constitutional orders
It is clear that in the name of consent, both states are discriminating against pensioners by issuing unconstitutional orders. Saxena has demanded that the Chief Minister intervene in this matter. At the same time, Bhopal President Suresh Sharma has called the consent provision unconstitutional and has demanded that the Finance Minister investigate the Act and make it public.
Pensioners say that they are being deprived of their rights, and this is sheer injustice. Now it remains to be seen what action the Chief Minister takes in this matter, and when the pensioners will get justice.