{"id":362177,"date":"2025-10-01T09:00:02","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T03:30:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=362177"},"modified":"2025-09-30T18:51:27","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T13:21:27","slug":"we-owe-it-to-them-and-ourselves-that-they-live-not-merely-exist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/10\/01\/we-owe-it-to-them-and-ourselves-that-they-live-not-merely-exist\/","title":{"rendered":"We Owe it to Them and Ourselves that They Live, Not Merely Exist"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;\">\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Pensions as is understood today are financial arrangements designed to provide individuals with income during their retirement years. As a cornerstone of social and economic stability, pensions ensure that individuals can maintain a reasonable standard of living after leaving the workforce. This document explores the various types of pensions, their benefits, challenges, and the factors influencing the future of pension systems worldwide.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">There are different classes of pensions and different conditions govern their grant. It is almost in the nature of deferred compensation for services rendered. The definition given in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India<\/a><a id=\"fnref1\" href=\"#fn1\" title=\"1. Constitution of India.\"><sup>1<\/sup><\/a> is not all pervasive and can be said to inclusive one. It is essentially a payment to a person in consideration of past services rendered by him. It is a payment to a person who had rendered services for the employer, when he is almost in the twilight zone of his life.<a id=\"fnref2\" href=\"#fn2\" title=\"2. Kerala SRTC v. K.O. Varghese, (2003) 12 SCC 293, para 12.\"><sup>2<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"\">Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001575203\" target=\"_blank\">366(17)<\/a><a id=\"fnref3\" href=\"#fn3\" title=\"3. Constitution of India, Art. 366(17).\"><sup>3<\/sup><\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India<\/a> defines the term &#8220;pension&#8221; as under:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt;\">366. (17) &#8220;pension&#8221; means a pension, whether contributory or not, of any kind whatsoever payable to or in respect of any person, and includes retired pay so payable; a gratuity so payable and any sum or sums so payable by way of the return, with or without interest thereon or any other addition thereto, of subscriptions to a provident fund;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Act which substantively devoted itself exclusively to the problem of superannuation pension was the Superannuation Act, 1834<a id=\"fnref4\" href=\"#fn4\" title=\"4. Superannuation Act, 1834 (GB).\"><sup>4<\/sup><\/a>. These are landmarks in pension history because they attempted for the first time to establish a comprehensive and uniform scheme for all whom we may now call civil servants. Even before the 19th century, the problem of providing for public servants who are unable, through old age or incapacity, to continue working, has been recognised, but methods of dealing with the problem varied from society to society and even occasionally from department to department.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">A political society which has a goal of setting up of a welfare State, would introduce and has in fact introduced as a welfare measure wherein the retiral benefit is grounded on &#8220;considerations of State obligation to its citizens who having rendered service during the useful span of life must not be left to penury in their old age, but the evolving concept of social security is a later day development&#8221;. This journey was over a rough terrain. To note only one stage in 1856 a Royal Commission was set up to consider whether any changes were necessary in the system established by the 1834 Act. The Report of the Commission is known as &#8220;Northcote-Trevelyan Report&#8221;. The Report was pungent in its criticism when it says that:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">[I]n civil services comparable to lightness of work and the certainty of provision in case of retirement owing to bodily incapacity, furnish strong inducements to the parents and friends of sickly youths to endeavour to obtain for them employment in the service of the Government, and the extent to which the public are consequently burdened, first with the salaries of officers who are obliged to absent themselves from their duties on account of ill-health, and afterwards with their pensions when they retire on the same plea, would hardly be credited by those who have not had opportunities of observing the operation of the system.<a id=\"fnref5\" href=\"#fn5\" title=\"5. D.S. Nakara v. Union of India, (1983) 1 SCC 305, para 24.\"><sup>5<\/sup><\/a> (See, Gerald Rhodes, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Public Sector Pensions<\/span>, pp. 18-19).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">There are various kinds of pensions and there are equally various methods of funding pension programmes. Initially this class of pension appears to have been introduced as a reward for loyal service. Probably the alien rulers who recruited employees in lower echelons of service from the colony and exported higher level employees from the seat of Empire, wanted to ensure in the case of former continued loyalty till death to the alien rulers and in the case of latter, an assured decent living standard in old age ensuring economic security at the cost of the colony.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In present day notions, pension is a term applied to periodic money payments to a person who retires at a certain age considered age of disability; payments usually continue for the rest of the natural life of the recipient. The reasons underlying the grant of pension vary from country to country and from scheme to scheme. But broadly stated they are: (<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">i<\/span>) as compensation to former members of the Armed Forces or their dependants for old age, disability, or death (usually from service causes); (<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">ii<\/span>) as old age retirement or disability benefits for civilian employees; and (<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">iii<\/span>) as social security payments for the aged, disabled or deceased citizens made in accordance with the rules governing social service programmes of the country.<a id=\"fnref6\" href=\"#fn6\" title=\"6. D.S. Nakara case, (1983) 1 SCC 305, 322-323 para 27.\"><sup>6<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Pension can be available both in public employment and in private employment in different form. Pension can be defined benefit plan, defined contribution plan, government pension plan, hybrid pension plan, and individual retirement account. It inherently faces challenges such as ageing population, insufficient savings, economic volatility, sustainability of funding, lack of coverage.<\/p>\n<p style=\"\">Under Central Civil Services Pension Rules, 1972 (CCS Pension Rules, 1972)<a id=\"fnref7\" href=\"#fn7\" title=\"7. Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, R. 3(1)(o).\"><sup>7<\/sup><\/a>, the term pension was defined as:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; margin-left: 36pt;\">3.(1)(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">o<\/span>) &#8220;Pension&#8221; includes gratuity except when the term pension is used in contradistinction to gratuity, but does not include dearness relief;<\/p>\n<p style=\"\">Same definition is retained under the CCS Pension Rules, 2021<a id=\"fnref8\" href=\"#fn8\" title=\"8. Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021, R. 3(f).\"><sup>8<\/sup><\/a> under Rule 3(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">t<\/span>) therein. In fact, Rule 3(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">f<\/span>) of the CCS Pension Rules, 2021 defines the term as:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; margin-bottom: 3%;\">3. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">(f)<\/span> &#8220;Dearness relief&#8221; means dearness relief on pension and family pension as specified in Rule 52;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Rule 52 of the CCS Pension Rules, 2021 is an exhaustive rule dealing with the concept of dearness relief to be relief against price rise granted to a pensioner and lays down the methods of its applicability. Hence, it can safely be compared with the concept of dearness allowance which is payable to every serving employee in Central Government. Similar definition exists under different State Rules governing State government services.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">D.S. Nakara case<\/span><a id=\"fnref9\" href=\"#fn9\" title=\"9. (1983) 1 SCC 305.\"><sup>9<\/sup><\/a>, the Constitution Bench judgment deals with several issues of non-contributory pension in public employment.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The said judgment held that all pensioner form one class as a whole and cannot be micro classified by an arbitrary, unprincipled and unreasonable liability criteria for the purpose of revised pension.<a id=\"fnref10\" href=\"#fn10\" title=\"10. D.S. Nakara case, (1983) 1 SCC 305, paras 9, 42, 49, 58 to 62.\"><sup>10<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Thus, held that creating cut-off date to become eligible for revised pension scheme is not in consonance with directive principles of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India<\/a> and thus violative of Article 14<a id=\"fnref11\" href=\"#fn11\" title=\"11. Constitution of India, Art. 14.\"><sup>11<\/sup><\/a> of the Constitution of India.<a id=\"fnref12\" href=\"#fn12\" title=\"12. D.S. Nakara case, (1983) 1 SCC 305, para 49.\"><sup>12<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">If such criteria are made, the same can be severed from the one capable of being save, omitting the offending portion.<a id=\"fnref13\" href=\"#fn13\" title=\"13. D.S. Nakara case, (1983) 1 SCC 305, para 16.\"><sup>13<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In the said judgment it was held that introduction of cut-off date for revision of pension is possible only for computing the benefit and calculation of arrears but cannot be discriminate between pensioner retired from time to time.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In the context of scope of judicial review of legislation have held that a legislation need be examined in the touchstone of Part IV of the Constitution of India as the same provide for reliable yardstick for determination.<a id=\"fnref14\" href=\"#fn14\" title=\"14. D.S. Nakara case, (1983) 1 SCC 305, para 23.\"><sup>14<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The judgment has also been held that a statute does not become retrospective merely because a part of the requisite for its action is drawn from a time antecedent to its passing.<a id=\"fnref15\" href=\"#fn15\" title=\"15. D.S. Nakara case, (1983) 1 SCC 305, para 48.\"><sup>15<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The law laid down in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">D.S. Nakara case<\/span><a id=\"fnref16\" href=\"#fn16\" title=\"16. (1983) 1 SCC 305.\"><sup>16<\/sup><\/a> came for consideration time and again in several decisions before Supreme Court of India and have evolved in an organic manner. In <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Indian Ex-Services League<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span><a id=\"fnref17\" href=\"#fn17\" title=\"17. (1991) 1 SCC 104.\"><sup>17<\/sup><\/a>, dealt with the issue to One Rank One Pension in Armed Forces.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The aforementioned decision while interpreting liberalised pension scheme in the context of decision rendered in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">D.S. Nakara case<\/span><a id=\"fnref18\" href=\"#fn18\" title=\"18. (1983) 1 SCC 305.\"><sup>18<\/sup><\/a> provided for computation of pension according to pay for a more liberal formula raising the ceiling limit for pension. The Supreme Court held that where the mode of computation of pension is liberalised from a specified date, its benefit must be given not merely to retirees subsequent to that date but also to earlier existing retirees irrespective of their date of retirement even though the earlier retirees would not be entitled to any arrears prior to the specified date on the basis of the revised computation made according to the liberalised formula. In doing so all existing retires are required to consider as one class and further division within the class was held to be impermissible. The decision in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Indian Ex-Services League case<\/span><a id=\"fnref19\" href=\"#fn19\" title=\"19. (1991) 1 SCC 104.\"><sup>19<\/sup><\/a> holds that the pensioner form a class as a whole and their computation cannot be by different formula affording in equal treatment solely on the ground for some retired earlier, some retired later.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The decision of <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Indian Ex-Services League case<\/span><a id=\"fnref20\" href=\"#fn20\" title=\"20. (1991) 1 SCC 104.\"><sup>20<\/sup><\/a> in para 22 also had another issue of merger of dearness allowances (in short &#8220;DA&#8221;), wherein it was held that retrospective date in addition to pension held that a reckonable emolument which are the basis for computation of pension are to be taken on the basis of emoluments payable at the time of retirement and therefore there is no ground to include DA at the time when it was not paid.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Action Committee South Eastern Rly. Pensioners<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span><a id=\"fnref21\" href=\"#fn21\" title=\"21. 1991 Supp (2) SCC 544.\"><sup>21<\/sup><\/a>, Supreme Court held that classification according to date of retirement for calculation of pension is not improper. In <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Deoki Nandan Aggarwal<\/span><a id=\"fnref22\" href=\"#fn22\" title=\"22. 1992 Supp (1) SCC 323, para 11.\"><sup>22<\/sup><\/a>, following in the law laid down in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">D.S. Nakara case<\/span><a id=\"fnref23\" href=\"#fn23\" title=\"23. (1983) 1 SCC 305.\"><sup>23<\/sup><\/a> held that pension under liberalised scheme applicable to all but cut-off date for benefit can be introduced.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">However, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">P.N. Menon<\/span><a id=\"fnref24\" href=\"#fn24\" title=\"24. (1994) 4 SCC 68, paras 8, 14.\"><sup>24<\/sup><\/a>, while upholding the power to introduce the cut-off date to be rational held that new scheme for pensioner may not give all benefits to all retirees due to various factors. Further, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of W.B.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Monotosh Roy<\/span><a id=\"fnref25\" href=\"#fn25\" title=\"25. (1999) 2 SCC 71.\"><sup>25<\/sup><\/a> while dealing with the benefit to a judicial official held that employee retired prior to Pay Commission recommendation is not entitled to all the benefit.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">B.J. Akkara<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span><a id=\"fnref26\" href=\"#fn26\" title=\"26. (2006) 11 SCC 709, para 20.\"><sup>26<\/sup><\/a> and in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">S.R. Dhingra<\/span><a id=\"fnref27\" href=\"#fn27\" title=\"27. (2008) 2 SCC 229, para 25.\"><sup>27<\/sup><\/a>, Supreme Court of India held that pensioners retired in different point of time do not form a homogeneous route.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The judgment of <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">P.N. Menon case<\/span><a id=\"fnref28\" href=\"#fn28\" title=\"28. (1994) 4 SCC 68.\"><sup>28<\/sup><\/a> can be said to be evolving a new dimension of jurisprudence in pension law departing from the principles of <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">D.S. Nakara case<\/span><a id=\"fnref29\" href=\"#fn29\" title=\"29. (1983) 1 SCC 305.\"><sup>29<\/sup><\/a> as it allowed the employer to give different pension amount to the pensioner based on various factors.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Supreme Court of India thereafter while considering the jurisprudence in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Rajasthan<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Prem Raj<\/span> held that the decision of <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">D.S. Nakara case<\/span><a id=\"fnref30\" href=\"#fn30\" title=\"30. (1983) 1 SCC 305.\"><sup>30<\/sup><\/a> has not been given a complete go-by even though by that time certain judgment started developing little different in jurisprudence in this regard even thereafter the decision in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Monotosh Roy case<\/span><a id=\"fnref31\" href=\"#fn31\" title=\"31. (1999) 2 SCC 71.\"><sup>31<\/sup><\/a> and certain other decision came to be delivered.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">From the year 2002 to 2010, though certain departures were seen from the decision of <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">D.S. Nakara case<\/span><a id=\"fnref32\" href=\"#fn32\" title=\"32. (1983) 1 SCC 305.\"><sup>32<\/sup><\/a>. However, the judgment of <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">D.S. Nakara case<\/span><a id=\"fnref33\" href=\"#fn33\" title=\"33. (1983) 1 SCC 305.\"><sup>33<\/sup><\/a> has not been reversed or adversely commented upon in any of them.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Though certain judgment referred hereinabove allowed retires from different point of time given different treatment but <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Kerala<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">B. Renjith Kumar<\/span><a id=\"fnref34\" href=\"#fn34\" title=\"34. (2008) 12 SCC 219.\"><sup>34<\/sup><\/a> at para 21, while dealing with the effectiveness of the decision of <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">D.S. Nakara case<\/span><a id=\"fnref35\" href=\"#fn35\" title=\"35. (1983) 1 SCC 305.\"><sup>35<\/sup><\/a> went on to hold that &#8220;equal pay for equal work&#8221; is a part of fundamental rights as the same was propounded in Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001575241\" target=\"_blank\">39<\/a><a id=\"fnref36\" href=\"#fn36\" title=\"36. Constitution of India, Art. 39.\"><sup>36<\/sup><\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">SPS Vains<\/span><a id=\"fnref37\" href=\"#fn37\" title=\"37. (2008) 9 SCC 125, paras 28 to 30.\"><sup>37<\/sup><\/a>, <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">All Manipur Pensioners Assn.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Manipur<\/span><a id=\"fnref38\" href=\"#fn38\" title=\"38. (2020) 14 SCC 625, para 8.\"><sup>38<\/sup><\/a> have held in favour of the decision of <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">D.S. Nakara case<\/span><a id=\"fnref39\" href=\"#fn39\" title=\"39. (1983) 1 SCC 305.\"><sup>39<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Sudhir Kumar Consul<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Allahabad Bank<\/span><a id=\"fnref40\" href=\"#fn40\" title=\"40. (2011) 3 SCC 486, paras 17 and 18.\"><sup>40<\/sup><\/a> held that fixing cut-off date for granting retirement benefit such as gratuity or pension under different schemes creating two distinct and separate class of employee is well within Article <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001574870\" target=\"_blank\">14<\/a> of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726967\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India<\/a> and creation of such cut-off date can be justified on the ground of involvement of additional outlay or that the employee was not entitled to pension or retirement benefits.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">United Bank of India<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">United Bank of India Retirees&#8217; Welfare Assn.<\/span><a id=\"fnref41\" href=\"#fn41\" title=\"41. (2018) 16 SCC 539.\"><sup>41<\/sup><\/a> held that differential rate of dearness allowance to pensioner possible in view of settlement which has taken place with employee as the same is required to be taken as a package deal.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Suchet Singh Yadav<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span><a id=\"fnref42\" href=\"#fn42\" title=\"42. (2019) 11 SCC 520, paras 33 to 37.\"><sup>42<\/sup><\/a>, though the Supreme Court held that pensioner for the purpose of pension form one class. The schemes classifying pensioner are impermissible unless based rational foundation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">In <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span><a id=\"fnref43\" href=\"#fn43\" title=\"43. (2022) 7 SCC 323, paras 14 and 17.\"><sup>43<\/sup><\/a>, the Supreme Court held that all pensioner who held some rank may not for all purpose form homogeneous class since it is possible that personnel in some rank may be availing different scale of pay in view of career advancement scheme.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Thus it can be said that though the decision of <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">D.S. Nakara case<\/span><a id=\"fnref44\" href=\"#fn44\" title=\"44. (1983) 1 SCC 305.\"><sup>44<\/sup><\/a> still holds good but the Supreme Court of India has now actually treated pensioner retired at different point of time to somewhat heterogeneous group for the reason as held in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Indian Ex-Servicemen case<\/span><a id=\"fnref45\" href=\"#fn45\" title=\"45. (2022) 7 SCC 323.\"><sup>45<\/sup><\/a> and allows the employer to create cut-off date for benefit in view of the decision in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Sudhir Kumar case<\/span><a id=\"fnref46\" href=\"#fn46\" title=\"46. (2011) 3 SCC 486.\"><sup>46<\/sup><\/a> but the benefit given to retirees are required to be given to all in view of the recent decision of the Supreme Court in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Maharashtra State Financial Corpn. Ex-Employees Assn.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Maharashtra<\/span><a id=\"fnref47\" href=\"#fn47\" title=\"47. (2023) 11 SCC 186, paras 29 to 39.\"><sup>47<\/sup><\/a> and thus after the cut-off date every pensioner is entitled to all benefit as a homogeneous class and denial of pay revision to some of the retiree held to be bad.<\/p>\n<p style=\"\">A pension scheme consistent with available resources must provide that the pensioner would be able to live<a id=\"fnref48\" href=\"#fn48\" title=\"48. Kerala SRTC case, (2003) 12 SCC 293, 300, para 15.\"><sup>48<\/sup><\/a>:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">i<\/span>) free from want with decency, independence and self-respect; and<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 36pt; text-indent: -18pt; margin-bottom: 3%;\">(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">ii<\/span>) at a standard equivalent at the preretirement level.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Thus, in order to ensure objectives of maintaining of living at a standard equivalent at the pre-retirement level there is a constant need to ensure long-term and short-term revision by the employer on favour of employee. Long-term revision can be by way of introduction of new and effective scheme(s) or revision following recommendation of Pay Commission to all pensioners taken as a class. Short-term revision must be by ensuring grant of dearness relief regularly, which is linked with price rise, inflation, etc. as mandatory measure. The moment there is denial of dearness relief either while framing revision of pay and allowances rules to retired employees and compelled them to wait for long-term revision, we are violating the law relating to pension who are entitled for non-contributory pension after retirement and making it a bounty not their right for the successful past services rendered by them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr\/>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #000080;\">Advocate-on-Record, Supreme Court of India. Author can be reached at: officeofkunalchatterji@gmail.com.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn1\" href=\"#fnref1\">1.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Uei3bEDC\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn2\" href=\"#fnref2\">2.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Kerala SRTC<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">K.O. Varghese<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/7693K7xm\" target=\"_blank\">(2003) 12 SCC 293<\/a>, para 12.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn3\" href=\"#fnref3\">3.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/KYL0YH86\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India, Art. 366(17).<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn4\" href=\"#fnref4\">4.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/SvCD5VK0\" target=\"_blank\">Superannuation Act, 1834 (GB).<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn5\" href=\"#fnref5\">5.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">D.S. Nakara<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Union of India<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/32VOkkE6\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 1 SCC 305<\/a>, para 24.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn6\" href=\"#fnref6\">6.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">D.S. Nakara case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/32VOkkE6\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 1 SCC 305<\/a>, 322-323 para 27.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn7\" href=\"#fnref7\">7.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/2mC4hdLl\" target=\"_blank\">Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, R. 3(1)(o).<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn8\" href=\"#fnref8\">8.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/jM5v5jEB\" target=\"_blank\">Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 2021, R. 3(<span style=\"font-style: italic;\">f<\/span>).<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn9\" href=\"#fnref9\">9.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/32VOkkE6\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 1 SCC 305.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn10\" href=\"#fnref10\">10.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">D.S. Nakara case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/32VOkkE6\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 1 SCC 305<\/a>, paras 9, 42, 49, 58 to 62.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn11\" href=\"#fnref11\">11.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/h7G5KbD4\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India, Art. 14.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn12\" href=\"#fnref12\">12.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">D.S. Nakara case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/32VOkkE6\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 1 SCC 305<\/a>, para 49.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn13\" href=\"#fnref13\">13.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">D.S. Nakara case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/32VOkkE6\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 1 SCC 305<\/a>, para 16.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn14\" href=\"#fnref14\">14.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">D.S. Nakara case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/32VOkkE6\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 1 SCC 305<\/a>, para 23.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn15\" href=\"#fnref15\">15.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">D.S. Nakara case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/32VOkkE6\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 1 SCC 305<\/a>, para 48.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn16\" href=\"#fnref16\">16.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/32VOkkE6\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 1 SCC 305.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn17\" href=\"#fnref17\">17.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/py3F2a3M\" target=\"_blank\">(1991) 1 SCC 104.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn18\" href=\"#fnref18\">18.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/32VOkkE6\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 1 SCC 305.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn19\" href=\"#fnref19\">19.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/py3F2a3M\" target=\"_blank\">(1991) 1 SCC 104.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn20\" href=\"#fnref20\">20.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/py3F2a3M\" target=\"_blank\">(1991) 1 SCC 104.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn21\" href=\"#fnref21\">21.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Mr5d85KE\" target=\"_blank\">1991 Supp (2) SCC 544.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn22\" href=\"#fnref22\">22.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/EqnNQj22\" target=\"_blank\">1992 Supp (1) SCC 323, para 11.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn23\" href=\"#fnref23\">23.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/32VOkkE6\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 1 SCC 305.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn24\" href=\"#fnref24\">24.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/whlaQ83p\" target=\"_blank\">(1994) 4 SCC 68, paras 8, 14.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn25\" href=\"#fnref25\">25.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Mgg76c2A\" target=\"_blank\">(1999) 2 SCC 71.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn26\" href=\"#fnref26\">26.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/CN7un33u\" target=\"_blank\">(2006) 11 SCC 709, para 20.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn27\" href=\"#fnref27\">27.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/lRWRR0v2\" target=\"_blank\">(2008) 2 SCC 229, para 25.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn28\" href=\"#fnref28\">28.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/whlaQ83p\" target=\"_blank\">(1994) 4 SCC 68.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn29\" href=\"#fnref29\">29.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/32VOkkE6\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 1 SCC 305.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn30\" href=\"#fnref30\">30.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/32VOkkE6\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 1 SCC 305.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn31\" href=\"#fnref31\">31.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/Mgg76c2A\" target=\"_blank\">(1999) 2 SCC 71.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn32\" href=\"#fnref32\">32.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/32VOkkE6\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 1 SCC 305.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn33\" href=\"#fnref33\">33.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/32VOkkE6\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 1 SCC 305.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn34\" href=\"#fnref34\">34.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/kDFJpwf3\" target=\"_blank\">(2008) 12 SCC 219.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn35\" href=\"#fnref35\">35.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/32VOkkE6\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 1 SCC 305.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn36\" href=\"#fnref36\">36.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/HgecD61Z\" target=\"_blank\">Constitution of India, Art. 39.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn37\" href=\"#fnref37\">37.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/AD22u597\" target=\"_blank\">(2008) 9 SCC 125, paras 28 to 30.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn38\" href=\"#fnref38\">38.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/qC33jEAw\" target=\"_blank\">(2020) 14 SCC 625, para 8.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn39\" href=\"#fnref39\">39.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/32VOkkE6\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 1 SCC 305.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn40\" href=\"#fnref40\">40.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/3d81To5s\" target=\"_blank\">(2011) 3 SCC 486, paras 17 and 18.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn41\" href=\"#fnref41\">41.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/yP5L10w3\" target=\"_blank\">(2018) 16 SCC 539.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn42\" href=\"#fnref42\">42.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/CJg8roZH\" target=\"_blank\">(2019) 11 SCC 520, paras 33 to 37.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn43\" href=\"#fnref43\">43.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/skA6r6IH\" target=\"_blank\">(2022) 7 SCC 323, paras 14 and 17.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn44\" href=\"#fnref44\">44.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/32VOkkE6\" target=\"_blank\">(1983) 1 SCC 305.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn45\" href=\"#fnref45\">45.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/skA6r6IH\" target=\"_blank\">(2022) 7 SCC 323.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn46\" href=\"#fnref46\">46.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/3d81To5s\" target=\"_blank\">(2011) 3 SCC 486.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn47\" href=\"#fnref47\">47.<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/HD9mP15j\" target=\"_blank\">(2023) 11 SCC 186, paras 29 to 39.<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt; text-indent: -18pt;\"><a id=\"fn48\" href=\"#fnref48\">48.<\/a> <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Kerala SRTC case<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/7693K7xm\" target=\"_blank\">(2003) 12 SCC 293<\/a>, 300, para 15.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>by Kunal Chatterji*<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67011,"featured_media":362178,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[42503,1191],"tags":[90101,90111,90106,90099,90097,90102,90109,90104,90108,90110,90096,72596,90100,90103,90095,90105,90098,75340,76779,90094,90107,90093],"class_list":["post-362177","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-legal-analysis","category-op-ed","tag-agewithdignity","tag-coloniallegacy","tag-constitutionalrights","tag-dignityinretirement","tag-economicjustice","tag-eldercare","tag-historical-critical-analysis","tag-legal-constitutional-themes","tag-legalperspective","tag-pensionhistory","tag-pensionreform","tag-publicpolicy","tag-respectourelders","tag-retirementmatters","tag-retirementrights","tag-righttopension","tag-senior-citizens-retirement","tag-seniorrights","tag-socialjustice","tag-socialsecurity","tag-stateobligation","tag-welfarestate"],"yoast_head":"<!-- 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HC | Maintenance allowance granted to wife cannot be considered as debt \u2013 Exemption under S. 11 of Pensions Act, 1871 cannot be granted to husband","author":"Bhumika Indulia","date":"April 19, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Bombay High Court: The Bench of M.G. Giratkar, J., partly allowed a criminal revision application by modifying the maintenance amount being provided to the wife in respect of the husband\u2019s pension. In accordance, the present case, the learned counsel of applicant\/husband, P.K. Mishra, submitted that before retirement, the husband was\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Case Briefs&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Bombay-HC.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Bombay-HC.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Bombay-HC.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Bombay-HC.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Bombay-HC.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":222596,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2019\/11\/27\/centre-informs-of-no-proposal-to-reduce-age-of-retirement-on-superannuation-from-60-years-to-58-years\/","url_meta":{"origin":362177,"position":1},"title":"Centre informs of no proposal to reduce age of retirement on superannuation from 60 years to 58 years","author":"Bhumika Indulia","date":"November 27, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"Retirement Age Presently, there is no proposal to reduce age of retirement on superannuation from 60 years to 58 years. 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Dharmadhikari and\u00a0 B.P. Colabawalla, JJ., expressing its disappointment over the state of affairs, warned the State Government officials\u00a0 that if the unpaid pensions were not cleared, it\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Case Briefs&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Bombay-HC.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Bombay-HC.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Bombay-HC.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Bombay-HC.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/Bombay-HC.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":215578,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2019\/06\/11\/notification-all-india-services-death-cum-retirement-benefits-amendment-rules-2019-notified\/","url_meta":{"origin":362177,"position":4},"title":"[Notification] All India Services (Death-Cum-Retirement-Benefits) Amendment Rules, 2019 &#8212; Notified","author":"Bhumika Indulia","date":"June 11, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"G.S.R. 412(E)\u2014In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the All India Services Act, 1951 (61 of 1951), the Central Government, hereby makes the following rules further to amend the All India Services (Death-Cum Retirement-Benefits) Rules, 1958, namely:- 1 (i) These Rules may be called\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Legislation Updates&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Legislation Updates","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/legislationupdates\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":243873,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2021\/02\/15\/united-kingdom-pension-schemes-act-2021\/","url_meta":{"origin":362177,"position":5},"title":"United Kingdom | Pension Schemes Act, 2021","author":"Bhumika Indulia","date":"February 15, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"On February 11, 2021, the Pension Schemes Act 2021 has received Royal Assent. 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