Retired teachers of UGC denied "AQ" pension in Andhra Pradesh

Kakinada: While the UGC pensioners profoundly express their gratitude to the Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and Finance department as well as Director of Treasuries (DTA) for implementing the UGC scales 2016, however, they feel frustrated for ignoring to include the additional quantum (AQ) of pension for those who are above 70 years of age.

In fact, the UGC pensioners of 70 years age had been drawing the AQ pension since 2010 even before the new revised UGC scale of 2016. In view of certain memos issued by Director of Treasuries and Accounts (DTA) for withholding the AQ pension till further orders from the government, the senior most UGC pensioners are deprived of the benefit whereas the pensioners of the State government are accorded the same benefit defying the norms of region and justice.

It is abundantly clear that the UGC scales pertain to pay and dearness relief only and other benefits like gratuity, medical allowance and AQ pension are paid on par with the State government employees.

But, in the wake of new revised consolidation of pension in 2016 UGC scales, they are denied AQ pension without any solid reason. As per GO No. 15, February 13, 2019, the UGC pensioners are also eligible for AQ pension and ignoring of non-payment of AQ pension to UGC pensioners is a blatant violation of the GO.

Hence, no further delay should be made in issuing orders for the sanction of AQ pension to the UGC pensioners in view of many of them being on sick bed and in their twilight of years.

"It is surprising to note that in AP all the UGC pensioners of various universities including JNTU- K, JNTU- A are receiving AQ pension", said N. Ramam, a retired senior lecturer. He added that in Telangana also the UGC pensioners are getting the AQ pension. It is causing anguish to UGC pensioners of degree colleges for they are ignored and subjected to discrimination as well as in justice. Hence, in view of the GO no. 15, and benefit enjoyed by UGC pensioners of all Universities in AP as well as Telangana pensioners , it is just and reasonable that in AP the UGC pensioners rightfully deserve it and hence the Finance department may kindly issue favorable orders to win the hearts of the senior most , highly educated UGC pensioners, the retired lecturer said.

Retired College Teachers Association (RCTA) working president R. Rama Chandra Reddy told "The Hans India" that there is no specific GO issued for stopping the AQ pension. He said that the file is in the Finance department. He said that in the event of bringing it to the notice of the CM Jagan Mohan Reddy they are confident of the restoration of AQ pension.

"The pensioners are looked at with contempt and neglected by the officials. But, CM Jagan is always in favour of pensioners and hence if the issue is brought to the notice of Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy we are confident that the AQ pension will be sanctioned without any further delay," RCTA president PV Ramana Reddy said.