Old pensioners surrendered their pension money as per the past pension rule. They did it for addressing genuine causes like building residential houses, paying children's education/higher studies, medical services, and last but not least, old age security.
From 2016 onwards, much has been written regarding the sorry state of the old pensioners, particularly those of the age of 65 or above. In the first week of January 2017, committee members of retired secretaries headed by A.Z.M. Shafiqul Islam had a meeting with the Finance Minister to apprise him of the state of affairs of the pensioners who surrendered 100 per cent of pension money (100 per cent of 80 per cent) to address their genuine needs. The Finance Minister appreciated the points raised in the discussion and assured the delegation to see what could be done on the matter. However, the government is yet to make a move in this direction. The government may consider reversion to pension payment for the concerned old pensioners at an interval of 10/12 years in the light of such facilities reportedly prevalent in the neighbouring countries -- India and Pakistan.
The old pensioners, prior to the 2005 pay scale, got less than Tk two million on full surrender as the calculation rate was below Tk 230 per one taka. The number of pensioners of the age of 65-70 would be roughly 5.0 per cent of the total number of pensioners. The yearly expenditure of such pension-reversion may be accommodated under non-development budget allocation.
Prior to 2005, the highest ranking official at Secretary level used to get Tk 15,750 as monthly salary (1997 pay scale basis) against which pension money and monthly pension stood at Tk 12,500 and Tk 6,250 respectively. This pay was enhanced effective from 2005 to Tk 24,500, pension money at Tk 19,500 and monthly pension Tk 9,750. This existed up to 2008 and further increased onward.
On the basis of 2015 pay scale, the highest salaried incumbent (Secretary level) gets on retirement Tk 38,500 as monthly pension while a 20th grade employee gets monthly pension Tk 9,000 against highest basic of Tk 20,000.
In spite of the above improvement, the so-called 100 per cent, net pension money did not increase, rather increased at a certain percentage from FY 2004-05 for the purpose of festival bonuses only (2 in a year). Medical facility, however, increased to Tk 2,500 per month for those aged 65 or above and below that age Tk 1,500 effective from 01-07-2015.
The old pensioners were subjected to a maximum ceiling of 80 per cent pension in cash. Facility at conversion rate of Tk 200 per taka with rest 20 per cent retained with the government exchequer while the present-time pensioner is to get 90 per cent in cash facility 50 per cent of which to be available for cash withdrawal and the rest 50 per cent for monthly pension for self/legal survivors. The conversion rate will be Tk 230 per taka.
Previously, the retirement age was 57 years; presently it is 59-60 years. The Leave Preparatory to Retirement (LPR) period of one year was previously six months with pay and six months with ½ pay. Now, Post Retirement Leave (PRL) is enjoyed with full pay.
Under the circumstances, the old pensioner's pension money requires to be re-determined on the basis of 90 per cent calculation at conversion rate of Tk 230 per taka. Their net pension money should be re-ascertained as such. The amount thus standing disbursable may be paid in phases or paid through Pensioner Sanchayapatra / Poribar Sanchayapatra (PSP/BSP).
The pensioner may be accommodated in suitable scales of pay under the pay scale 2015 for the purpose of reversion to pension system after every 10/12-year interval basing on the original retirement date.
Meantime, medical facility to them may be increased to Tk 5,000 per month considering different types of old age diseases afflicting them.
The writer is a government
pensioner.
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