Release benefits of all retired employees by April 9: HC to State

The Telangana High Court on Monday directed the State government to release all the financial benefits to all retired State government employees by April 9. 

The court was hearing a batch of 644 contempt of court petitions filed by retired employees of the State government who contended that the government failed to comply with the orders of the HC to release their statutory monetary benefits following their superannuation 

The benefits included gratuity, pension and provident fund related sums. They filed separate contempt of court cases as the government failed to release the money to them despite specific directions from the HC. Justice Namavarapu Rajeshwar Rao, who earlier issued Form-I notice to the Principal Secretary of Finance Sandeep Kumar Sultania on February 9, expressed dissatisfaction over the absence of Sultania when the hearing began on Monday. 

The judge sought to know from the government counsel, who said a dispense with appearance petition was filed on behalf of the Principal Secretary of Finance since he was occupied with the budgetary session of the Assembly, why the petition was not filed in advance. Justice Rajeshwara Rao reminded the government counsel that several retired employees had been pleading with the court for past several months about release of their pensionary benefits. 

The judge also noted that even Form-I notice was issued to the top official to appear before the bench and yet on the day of the hearing a petition to dispense with appearance was being filed. Despite repeated requests of the government counsel, the judge said he was ready to wait in the court even after the post-lunch session but insisted on the presence of Sultania. The judge categorically said that he would wait till the midnight if the top official was ready to appear before the court to explain his stand. 

Finally, the Principal Secretary appeared virtually for the hearing and explained that he was occupied with the budget session of the Assembly. The top official sought 30 days of more time to release monetary benefits of all the retired employees. The judge, however, declined to give that long time and instructed Sultania to clear dues of all retired employees by April 9. 

“It is their own money. Give the good news for all the retired government employees by April 9,” the judge said directing the Principal Secretary to appear before the bench on the next date of hearing.