- Retd Govt Employees in Telangana Struggle for Benefits 

-Officials concerned asking for bribes to pay dues

metro india news  I hyderabad

In Telangana state, retired employees (pensioners) are in deep distress. They are shedding tears due to the government's actions. Without pensioner benefits... unable to afford medical treatment, some are struggling in life-threatening conditions, while others are resorting to suicide. Unable to arrange weddings for their children, they are enduring hellish torment. After retiring from government service, they hoped the money they had saved throughout their careers would come through—from their own savings... to loans taken from banks, they are now unable to pay interest and EMIs, leading to severe mental anguish. Having served the public as government employees, running around government offices for post-retirement benefits is proving futile. 

Moreover, to clear files, officials are demanding up to 20% of the amount due, according to pensioners' allegations. Despite multiple reviews by the government of their situation, nothing has changed. Even a year and a half after retirement, they are struggling financially without receiving benefits. Recently, in Nalgonda district, a retired teacher went missing from home due to mental distress over not receiving his benefits. His family members are in a state of confusion, unable to trace him. Another teacher, K. Kondaiya, passed away recently after pleading with the government, saying he was in a critical condition, unsure when he might die, and begging for his retirement benefits before it was too late due to his deteriorating health. This incident has shaken everyone.

Pending Benefits Up to Rs. 13,000 Crore...

Government employees and teachers who served the public for decades are facing severe financial hardships because their post-retirement benefits are not being disbursed. At the very least, without money for medical care, they are falling ill. Due to the retirement age increase by KCR, retirements that had stalled resumed from March 31, 2024. From then on, approximately 1,000 employees retire every month across the state.

So far, 8,672 have retired. Even a year and a half after retirement, benefits are not being provided. Under benefits like gratuity, GPF, leave encashment, TGLI, commutation, and GIS, the government needs to release between Rs. 10,000 crore and Rs. 13,000 crore for all of them. Normally, upon retirement, the government must provide retirement benefits including the GPF accumulated during their service period, along with other perks. However, even after months, the government is not releasing this money to the pensioners.

Rs. 30 Lakh to Rs. 80 Lakh Per Employee...

The BRS government in 2021 increased the retirement age for employees from 58 to 61 years. It did so to avoid the financial burden of retirement benefits at that time. As a result, there were no retirements until March 31, 2024. They began from April. In 2024 alone, 7,995 retired. This year, it will be 9,630; in 2026, 9,719; in 2027, 9,443; and in 2028, 7,213 are set to retire. The government is not paying the amounts to those retiring from April 2024.

Depending on the employee's cadre (level), each one is due at least Rs. 30 lakh, up to a maximum of Rs. 80 lakh. This includes approximately Rs. 10 to 12 lakh under GPF, up to Rs. 16 lakh under gratuity, Rs. 3 to 5 lakh under leave encashment, Rs. 7 to 15 lakh under commutation, up to Rs. 5 lakh under TGLI, and up to Rs. 20,000 under GIS. Based on previous discussions with the employees' JAC, the government has recently approved some medical reimbursements and GPF amounts in the last month.

November 10 Deadline... Ready for Protest...

Pensioners (retired employees) are gearing up for a fight. They have announced an action plan for this. They are preparing to protest demanding that the benefits due after retirement be paid to retired pensioners. They plan to pressure the government to release all benefits. The Telangana Government Pensioners Joint Action Committee has decided to express dissent at the Dharna Chowk. It has issued an ultimatum to release all pending bills at once. 

It has set a deadline of November 10 to release pensioner benefits funds like GPF, GLI, gratuity, commutation, and leave encashment. Otherwise, on November 17, along with family members, the JAC, comprising 33 associations, will stage a massive dharna at Indira Park Dharna Chowk. The JAC is set to serve notices to the government today or tomorrow.

10 to 20% Commissions!

Without bills being cleared, some employees and headmasters are approaching the courts. The High Court, while hearing such cases, has issued orders directing the government to pay within four weeks or six weeks in several instances. Even though the court is ordering payments, some officials are not disbursing the money. There are criticisms that they are demanding 10 to 20% commissions to release the funds. It appears that bills of those who pay commissions or follow up get cleared promptly. They express anguish, saying that those demanding commissions will one day retire just like us.

We Will Stage Dharna with Family Members: K. Lakshmaiah, Chairman, Government Pensioners JAC Pensioner benefits bills totaling Rs. 13,000 crore are due. GPF, gratuity, commutation, leave encashment, and GLI bills must be paid by November 10. Otherwise, we will stage a dharna with family members on November 17. Due to the timely non-arrival of due pensioner benefits, unable to repay loans, children's weddings and education are getting stalled, leading to humiliation and some resorting to suicide. Others, in old age, are suffering from various ailments, languishing in hospital beds. The government is responsible for all this.

Government Says It Has No Money: Gaddam Ashok, Telangana All Pensioners and Retired Persons Association The government promised the employees' JAC to release Rs. 700 crore per month, but it's not being implemented. The government claims it has no money. Retired pensioners are in severe mental distress. Unable to meet needs without money, they can't arrange children's weddings. Those who took loans to build houses can't pay EMIs and interest. The government should release funds in phases.

Dialogue at the Treasury Office

(Scene: A dimly lit government treasury office in Hyderabad. Venkatesh, a frail 65-year-old retired teacher, clutches faded service papers. Across the counter,. Reddy, a smug 40-something clerk, flips through files indifferently. The air is thick with the scent of old paper and despair.)

Venkatesh: (voice trembling, leaning forward) Sir, please... I've come here every week for six months. Thirty-five years I taught in government schools—molding minds, skipping meals to buy books for poor kids. Now, at 65, my wife's dialysis bills are piling up. My daughter's wedding? A dream deferred. Just release my gratuity, GPF—Rs. 45 lakhs due. But you say... commissions? 15%? How can I pay when I have nothing?

Reddy: (smirking, tapping a pen) Rules are rules, anna. Files don't clear without the "facilitation fee." Budget crunch, you know? Government's hands are tied. Pay up, or wait another year.

Venkatesh: (eyes welling up) Facilitation? This is extortion! I served the state faithfully, from dawn patrols to late-night corrections. Now, I'm begging for my own sweat's worth? Sir, think of your future. You'll retire one day too—face this same desk, same pleas. Won't karma catch up?

Reddy: (chuckling darkly, leaning back) Oh, anna? We will see it later. For now, your file stays buried. Next!