A proposal to address the pension issue

I refer to a story in last week’s newspaper which went under the headline ‘No pension hikes: Previous Govt.’s proposal quashed’. I wish to submit my proposal for the interest of both government and pensioners.

The news item says the government is spending Rs. 240 billion annually for the payment of pension. It says the govt. will raise allocations for this purpose to Rs.370 billion if the previous Government proposal was implemented. There is no doubt that every right thinking person agrees with me that the government cannot afford such a huge expense, especially at a time the government is facing major financial difficulties due to a heavy foreign debt commitment.

I suggest the increase of pensioners’ salaries every three years by an equal amount without considering the grade of the pensioners. In western countries the grade is not considered while they are in service too. Whichever post they held prior to retirement they should be treated equally. This should be the practice when paying pensions and be done regardless of caste, creed or grade.

This should be applicable to all government institutions including state banks where the employees are entitled to receive the pension benefit even though, they are maintaining their own Pension Trust Fund accounts for the wellbeing of their ex-members. W.G.CHANDRAPALA

(PENSIONER)