HC Judgement On Pension Scheme Challenged By DU

University Grants Commission (UGC) had issued an official memorandum in 1987 mentioning the change in the pension scheme for DU teachers. The change was basically shifting in to a monthly scheme and deduction of general provident fund (GPF) from the employee’s salary. There was no deduction in case of cumulative provident fund (CPF) as the lump sum was to be paid at the time of retirement.

Allotted time for approval was of five months, between May and September 1987. UGC wanted teachers to give their decision in writing. The authorities of DU had extended the date several times in order to receive change in the options from teachers. After the approval from Vice Chancellor, DU approved the memorandum.

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As per the judgement passed this April by the high court, all the staffers including the ones who had not opted for the scheme were allowed to avail the benefits. The petition was divided into 3 categories by the single-judge bench of high court - those who exercised the CPF option after the deadline, those who exercised it within the deadline and those who did not exercise the option at all.

As per advocate Tanuj Khanna, who represented the group of teachers, category I and III being entitled to GPF turned out to be a profitable deal. But staffers falling under the category II were not eligible to avail the benefits.

DU had composed a task force on May 27 headed by treasurer, Janki Kathpalia, for the welfare of employees serving the University as well as the retired candidates. The task force decided on challenging HC judgement and not implementing the decision. Habib said that the decision was accepted at the EC meeting by the Vice Chancellor. At present, Kathpalia is not commenting on the reason being the task force.

Varsity’s teachers have attacked the move of challenging the HC judgement instead of implementing the scheme.

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Nandita Narain, President of Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) said that about 2500 employees were to get benefited by the judgement according to the Universal records. Challenging of the decision is an intentional move by varsity to refuse the post-retirement livelihood and basic human rights of teachers.