CM urged to extend pensions to retired UGC teachers

Batting on behalf of retired UGC lecturers/teachers, renowned writers met Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday to seek extension of pension benefits to them, which they have been fighting for nearly a decade.

Writers including Chandrashekar Patil, Chandrashekara Kambara, G K Govind Rao, K Marulasidappa, Hampa Nagarajaiah and others petitioned Siddaramaiah to expedite the disbursement of pension of Rs 23,200 to 1,800 retired teachers of the UGC aided colleges.

They said as many as 25 states have already implemented the Ministry of Human Resources Department order to this effect and that Karnataka was yet to do so. They also pointed out that the High Court too had ruled in favour of the teachers, 75 per cent of whom are over 80 years of age with a few among them having passed away.

Representatives of the Karnataka State Universities and Colleges Retired Teachers Association too were present.Siddaramaiah who heard the petitioners, said he would convene a meeting of the officials concerned to study the financial implications with regard to this.