Retired employees seek pension hike for seniors above 70 years

The Andhra Pradesh Government Retired Employees Association’s Joint Action Committee State chairman Chowdary Purushottam Naidu on Wednesday urged the State government to enhance pension benefits for retired employees aged above 70 years.

Addressing the media, he appealed to the government to increase the additional quantum of pension from 7% to 10% for retirees in the 70 to 75 years age group and from 12% to 15% for those above 75 years. Mr. Purushottam Naidu said the proposed revision would immediately benefit nearly 75,000 elderly pensioners and eventually extend to around four lakh retirees once they cross 70 years of age.

He stated that the enhanced pension would provide much needed relief to senior most retired employees who are coping with multiple health issues and continuing family responsibilities. He alleged that the previous Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy government had reduced certain pension benefits and stressed that these should be restored without delay. According to him, a 3% increase in pension would entail an additional annual expenditure of around ₹120 crore for the State government.

Mr. Purushottam Naidu said the Joint Action Committee had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister’s Office seeking early clearance of pending bills of employees who retired recently. The association has also requested the government to allot buildings for retired employees in all districts to enable them to hold meetings and offer guidance to serving staff on administrative matters.