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DU pensioners threaten agitation

By Bureau

DIBRUGARH, Oct 10 - Retired teachers and employees of the Dibrugarh University, who are given a frugal amount in lieu of regular pension, have decided to go on an agitation, as their family pension scheme is yet to be implemented, though announced two years back.

Office bearers of the Dibrugarh University Pensioners� Association (DUPA) are incensed over a notification (no. DU/RG/A.02.03/15/0730 dated 5-10-2015) that even the one-third pension amount that is now being paid to the eligible pensioners, is sought to be stopped from this month. �This is a harsh and inhumane decision�.and a case of utter negligence towards senior citizens, many of whom are now infirm and ailing,� said a resolution of the DUPA that was handed over to the Dibrugarh University today.

However, sources in the Dibrugarh University said the notification follows a direction from the executive council at its 327th meeting held on September 28 this year.

Payment of pension to retired teachers and employees of the Dibrugarh University has been agreed to in-principle in 2013. However, bureaucratic obstructions at Dispur have ensured that the retired personnel do not get their dues in the near future. A DUPA functionary said the State Education Minister Sarat Borkotoky appears sympathetic to the cause, but the hurdle was one H M Caire, an IAS officer, and others in the State bureaucracy.

Even Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has been repeatedly assuring DUPA delegations that pensions to the retired Dibrugarh University personnel would be paid. But he refused to commit himself to any time-frame on the commencement date of making the payouts. He once advised that the DUPA �put pressure� on the Dibrugarh University to make pension payments from grants-in-aid funds, saying this is being done at the Gauhati University.

Dr Sarat Sarmah, president of DUPA said that it is unfortunate that even a basic human right like implementing an officially announced family pension scheme is being delayed endlessly. He appealed to the State government and the Dibrugarh University authority to not precipitate the situation and demanded that the order to discontinue the one-third pension payment be taken back, and immediate steps be taken for early payment of full pension.

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