Events

In the year 1980, Shri D.S. Nakara, who retired from the post of Chief Accounts and Financial Assistant Officer from the Defence Department, filed case number 5939-41/1980 in the Supreme Court and Shri D.S. Nakara continuously fought for the welfare of pensioners for many years and due to his tireless efforts and endeavours, the pensioners got adequate pension to live a respectable life.

The Chief Justice of the Constitutional branch of the Supreme Court, Shri Y.V. Chandrachud, delivered the judgment in the above case on 17/12/1982. This decision is a landmark for pensioners. This decision led to the development of the pension structure and immense benefits to previous pensioners.

The Supreme Court ordered the government, stating that it is the duty of the state and the government to provide employees with security upon retirement and in old age. Pensions are not merely a reward for past service, but also a safeguard against the misfortunes of old age. Employees have worked tirelessly for their employer (the government) during their service. Pensions are not a form of alms or favour from the government; they are compensation for the inadequate wages they received during their service. Pensions are a constitutional and justifiable right of employees upon retirement. Senior citizens have the right to a decent standard of living commensurate with their age. Pensions should be adequate so that pensioners can live at the same standard of living as they did during their service. Pensions are not dependent on the government’s whims; they are an employee’s right; they are not a government favour. They are a social welfare obligation. Employees provided substantial service to the government during their healthy lives with the expectation that they would not be left destitute in their old age.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision of 17/12/1982, the Fourth Pay Commission considered all the provisions of this decision and considered the pensioners’ issues. Earlier Pay Commissions neither considered the pensioners’ issues nor decided their benefits.

The Supreme Court’s decision of 17/12/1982 is called a dismissal decision. This decision transformed the lives of pensioners from miserable conditions to a life of dignity.

As a result of this decision, the Fourth Pay Commission was forced to take decisions regarding past and future pensioners and the government changed the Commission’s terms of reference. Complete parity was decided for pre- and post-1986 pensioners.

Hence, Pensioner’s Day is celebrated every year on 17th December and Shri D.S. Nakara is remembered for his work. Today Shri D.S. Nakara is not among us but today we pay tribute to him through this event.

This is why Pensioner Day is celebrated every year on 17th December.