|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Thursday, 20 May 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Features | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
'A compounded anomalous pension scheme' I wonder if the subject of pension anomalies has been compounded by the issues involved, or otherwise confounded the critics? The so-called experts - M/s Senaratna/Ekanayake, Shelton Wanasingha, B. C. S. Perera and Tissa Devendra, who headed Salaries Revision Commissions in the recent past have added complications to a very vexed, yet complex problem! To my knowledge every Salaries Revision Commission - hereinafter referred to as 'SRC', has invariably been followed by an equally Anomalies Committee/Commission - and the 'merry-go-round' will continue, also perhaps till the next proposed SRC is established by the present Government, as expressly promised to the electorate. I refer to recent correspondents - M/s L. Marasinghe, Ivor Perera, P. P. A. Henry, S. Thambirajah (former Government's 'Nava Javaya' of 12.3.04) who have published their views in the national press among others. They have cogently mentioned the suffering, agony, desperation and hurt, of retired pensioners, as - '5 Ds' being perhaps a 'discarded, disgruntled, disillusioned, desperate, and discriminated lot', despite the plethora of Treasury circulars for example - 29/94 and the recent 6/2004 dated 25, February 2004. We also have the worthy assurances of the Director of Pensions - K. T. Thilakaratna, and not forgetting the plethora of pre and post election promises and guarantees. The Divisional Secretaries are awaiting a Cabinet decision. For implementation of this scheme. Discrimination against a class of public servants - viz. honourably retired pensioners - is a violation of our individual's fundamental rights, and of the constitution. It was so decreed by the Indian Supreme Court, and must necessarily refer to the Sri Lankan constitutional provisions on FR, as well. The Indian SC decision 130 of 1981 (LAB - ICI) refers. What baffles me why a Pensioner's Committee or a group of individuals haven't petitioned our Supreme Court in likewise manner. I leave the legal experts to ponder on this matter. What about retired judicial officers? Why are they silent? There are three courses of action in my view which can be followed by our aggrieved party. (1) Litigation. (2) Amalgamation of all district pension committees into a powerful 'Pensioners Federation'. (3) Agitate through the TV/media and press - strikes, hunger or otherwise is not advisable and practicable weapons. The last resort 'ballot' is available freely, when exercising their 'franchise' - come elections, which have been rather frequent of late. Four out of five. More to follow? Only the privileged Parliamentarians and retired Heads of State and their spouses, enjoy the '5Ps' - 'Perks, Power, Privileges, Passports to success, and Pensions' (every five years, if elected) not a whimper is raised in objection, in the legislature - come 'various increases' sans anomalies of course. Only on such an issue is there unanimity - no 'barbs, books and bad language'. The recent behaviour in the legislature reached its nadir of parliamentary behaviour - both the TNA/JHU sit 'cheek by jowl' - in the legislature - notwithstanding such a disgusting and despicable conduct, staged for our 'entertainment' - at public expense, of course, alleged resort to bribery and corruption also thrown in for good measure. The perplexing question is why stop at 31.12.96 even hypothetically? What about the gap between 1.1.97 and 1.1.04? there has been deafening silence on this issue. The proposed salary increases and the payment of pension arrears - if a reality, will cost the National Exchequer over approximately Rs. 100 billion - annually. Such proposed salary increases must be followed with a commensurate pension increase, otherwise the pension anomalies will get compounded, aggravated, and perpetuated. Are we ready for such a situation? This is the burning question. May the powers that be, have the courage and wisdom to solve this long pestering issue with 'Justice for all', to all aggrieved parties concerned. Will it happen equitably is the million dollar question. If not, it will be time for the dying and frustrated pensioners to say 'Anichcha watha sankara' or may be 'thy kingdom come'! - Capt. A. G. Devendra (RCYN. retd.) |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
