9% hike for 1.88 lakh BSNL pensioners

The revision entails an estimated recurring annual expenditure of Rs 129.63 crore for pensioners and Rs 24.93 crore for family pensioners and arrears from 2013-14 would be Rs 239.92 crore for pensioners and Rs 44.62 crore for family pensioners, an official statement said. pti file photo

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Tuesday approved 9% increase in pension of 1.88 lakh BSNL employees who retired between 2007-13.

The revision entails an estimated recurring annual expenditure of Rs 129.63 crore for pensioners and Rs 24.93 crore for family pensioners and arrears from 2013-14 would be Rs 239.92 crore for pensioners and Rs 44.62 crore for family pensioners, an official statement said.

"Today, we have taken a big decision with respect to pensioners of BSNL. When BSNL was formed as a new entity, salary of employees was given by BSNL but obligation of pension was on the government," Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.