Retired employees of Karnatak University Dharwad not getting pension on time

Taking exception to the irregularity in payment of pension, members of the Karnatak University Retired Non-Teaching Employees’ Association and Pensioners’ Association staged a protest in front of the varsity’s administrative office on July 21.

Holding placards, the protesting retired employees marched from the University Circle to the administrative office and staged a dharna before the office. Emphasising that pension is their right and not charity, they demanded that the pension be paid on first of every month.

The protestors said that many of them depend entirely on the pension for hospital visits, medicine, and other essential needs. They are facing hardships due to delay in payment of pension. They alleged that the government had neglected the Karnatak University by not providing grants. Consequently, 1,800 retired employees were being deprived of their pension.

The protesters urged the university authorities to take up the matter with the government of Karnataka, and immediately resolve the issue. They insisted on implementing a system for regular monthly pension payments through HRMS (Human Resource Management System).

The protestors also urged the government to provide health benefits, release additional pension amounts, and ensure that all the benefits given to retired government employees are extended to the university’s employees.

The protest was led by president of the association G.S. Byadgi, and other office-bearers, including S.G. Huded, M.V. Jalihaal, S.S. Kalaghatagi, N.M. Ansari, and K.D. Pujari.