The division bench of the High Court has accepted the appeal of the state government, setting aside the decision of the single bench. With which lakhs of pensioners have got a big blow. At the same time, the government will not pay him Rs 350 crore for pension hike.
Pensioners Pension Payment: There is big news for the pensioners of the state. Actually they have got a big shock. Rs 350 crore will not be paid to 1.7 lakh pensioners now. The High Court has given major orders in this regard. Also, the petition of the pensioners has been rejected.
In fact, the division bench of Himachal Pradesh High Court Justice Sabina and Justice Sushil Kukreja has quashed the decision of the single bench, giving a big blow to the pensioners.
Pensioners’ petitions were rejected
In its order, the bench cited the decision of the Supreme Court and said that there is a financial burden on the government. In such a situation, the date can be fixed by the government for giving pension-salary hike, it cannot be called unconstitutional. Along with this, the petitions of the pensioners have been dismissed by the High Court and the appeal of the State Government has been accepted.
It may be mentioned that earlier, from January 1, 2006, instructions were given by a single bench to give the benefit of pension hike to the pensioners. However, in case the pension hike is given from 2006, an additional burden of Rs 350 crore will increase on the state government. Against this decision of the Single Bench, the Government appealed to the Division Bench.
Notification issued for payment of pension from April 1, 2013
Arguing in the division bench on behalf of the state government in the case, it was said that the notification of the state government dated May 21, 2013 was quashed by the single bench while it is not justified. The notification was issued by the state government on May 21, 2013 in the matter related to pensioners. In which it was said that the payment of increased pension to the pensioners in the situation of January 1, 2006 would be done from April 1, 2013.
Argument of the government in the bench
Although rejecting this decision of the government by a single bench, instructions were given to cancel the notification. The single bench had said that the government cannot fix the date for the payment of pension. On which the petition was filed in the division bench. On behalf of the state government, it was said that due to financial burden, the government can decide the date for payment of pension. That’s why such steps are being taken.
Now the High Court has accepted the appeal of the government. The decision has gone in favor of the government. In such a situation, now 175,000 pensioners will be given the benefit of pension hike from April 1, 2023. In this case, he will suffer a loss of Rs 350 crore.
