CG Pensioners News: The Chhattisgarh government has taken a major decision benefiting pensioners and their dependent families who moved to the state from the Madhya Pradesh cadre. Prior approval from the Madhya Pradesh government will no longer be required to increase Dearness Relief (DR). Whenever the state government decides to hike DR, it can be implemented directly. Approximately 1.5 lakh pensioners and family pensioners in the state will benefit from this decision.
End of a Long-Standing Administrative Process
Since the formation of the state, any increase in DR for pensioners linked to the Madhya Pradesh cadre required administrative consensus between the two states. This process caused delays in issuing DR-related orders, preventing pensioners from receiving timely benefits. Finance Minister OP Choudhary stated that the government has resolved this long-pending issue and decided to make the process simpler and more transparent. He added that pensioners would no longer have to face unnecessary waits for Dearness Relief.
Pensioner Associations Hail the Decision as Historic
The Chhattisgarh Officers-Employees Pensioners Association has welcomed the decision. The association describes it as a significant and historic step in the interest of pensioners. It will facilitate the speedy resolution of DR-related matters in the future and ensure pensioners receive timely financial relief. Association office-bearers noted that this decision removes a major administrative hurdle that had persisted for years.
Consensus Reached Following Memorandums
Pensioners Association State President P.R. Yadav, General Secretary Umesh Mudaliar, and Raipur District President Pankaj Nayak stated that memorandums were submitted to the Chief Minister on July 7 and 8 through Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) across the state. The memorandums demanded the removal of the mandatory requirement for mutual consent between the two states, a provision stemming from Section 49 of the Madhya Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2000. This government decision is being viewed as a major relief for pensioners. It is expected that this will expedite future decisions regarding DR and enable lakhs of families to receive benefits on time.
