95-yr-old to wait longer for pension
95-year-old freedom fighter, M. Rajagopal, is fighting for his pension for over 40 years.
Chennai: The Union deputy secretary and under secretary, home ministry, appeared before the Madras high court in connection with a contempt of court case, which arose out of the alleged failure of the authorities to comply with the earlier order of the court directing them to pay freedom fighters’ pension to a 95-year-old man fighting for pension for over 40 years.
Justice N. Paul Vasanthakumar, before whom the two officials appeared, said Mahavir Prasad, deputy secretary, and Amarchand, under secretary, appeared in person, and additional solicitor general G. Masilamani sought further time to comply with the order.
“Post the case on December 6 for final, reporting compliance of the order. If no order of compliance is passed by the time, the responsible officer, who according to Masilamani is the joint secretary, home, has to appear on December 6,” the judge added.
On a petition from freedom fighter M. Rajagopal, the high court had, on October 1, 2012, directed the Union government to pass orders, sanctioning a freedom fighters pension based on the recommendations of the state government made as early as on October 20, 1973.
In spite of the expiry of more than a year, the court order had not been complied with. Hence, he had filed the present contempt petition.
On November 11, the judge had directed the Union home secretary and under secretary to comply with the court’s earlier order to sanction a pension to him by November 14 or appear before the court for contempt.
Accordingly, the deputy secretary and under secretary appeared before the court on November 18 and sought further time to comply with the order.