Shimla, May 2: Over 7,000 retired employees from Himachal Pradesh’s boards and corporations are left reeling after the Supreme Court’s abrupt dismissal of their appeal for pension parity on April 16.
The case, which had been fought for nearly 16 years across tribunals, high courts, and the Supreme Court, came to a crushing end in just 30 seconds.
With the top court's refusal to intervene, pensioners are now directing their hopes and frustrations at the doorstep of the Sukhu government, demanding action.
Govind Chatranta, coordinator of the Corporate Pensioners' Front, expressed shock at the decision.
"We were led to believe, especially before the 2022 elections, that the State Government was willing to review the 2004 cut-off date. Now, with no support from the Supreme Court, we are looking to the Chief Minister and his government for justice," he said.
The issue revolves around the Himachal Pradesh Corporate Sector Employees (Pension, Family Pension, Commutation of Pension and Gratuity) Scheme, 1999, which was repealed in 2004.
While employees who retired before that date were given regular pensions, those retiring afterward were left with inadequate EPF benefits. Some pensioners receive as little as ₹2,384 per month.
The pensioners argue that they were unfairly excluded from the benefits despite having been part of the 1999 scheme, which was supposed to provide pension parity with government employees.
“This is a legal injustice and a moral betrayal. We’ve fought long and hard for the right to a fair pension, and yet, here we are—discriminated against simply because we retired after 2004," said Chatranta.
With the Supreme Court’s dismissal, the pensioners' last hope lies with the state government.
"The State promised us justice before elections and after taking office.
Now is the time to deliver. The Sukhu government must take up this issue seriously and amend the policy.
We are now taking our fight beyond the courtroom to the streets,” Chatranta added, signaling a shift in strategy from legal battles to public protests.
The Sukhu government now faces mounting pressure to address this long-standing issue and ensure pension justice for thousands of retired employees who have been left high and dry.
#JusticeForPensioners #SukhuGovernmentUnderPressure #PensionersFightBack #HimachalPensionDispute
