A retired principal’s long legal battle for pension

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Feb 14, 2023: A senior citizen who has retired as a college principal almost 21 years ago, is still waging a legal battle to secure his due pension. The Human Rights Protection Foundation of Udupi has brought his plight to the notice of the authorities as well as the media.

 

Alevoor  resident Raghupathi Bhat who has served as  principal of an aided PU College had retired in 2002  after 33 years of service. Three months prior to his retirement, he had submitted all documents required to avail pension to the college management with a request to hand it over to the Department. But due to the neglect of all authorities concerned, he did not get his pension for 15 years, informed Dr Ravindranath Shanbhog, President of the Foundation.

This forced Prof Bhat to wage a legal battle right from the district court to Supreme Court. Finally as per the SC order he received his pension for 177 months in a single instalment in 2017. But no interest was provided for the delayed payment. The pension department had asked the applicant to contact the government for the interest.

Since two years, Bhat has written to various authorities  but of no avail and finally moved High Court in 2019. After a hearing that lasted 18 months the High Court  directed that he be paid  8% interest within a time frame. However when the same was not adhered  to the court, he directed the government to recover the interest amount from those who caused the delay.

Even this was not adhered to following which a contempt of court case has been filed. Finally the Department sought three week’s time but has failed to adhere to the order following which a memo has been filed in the court on October 4, 2002.  Fearing arrest, the education department officials though have credited the amount, it was less than half of what is due to Bhat. Dr Shanbhog said later a false affidavit was filed stating the court ruling has been followed. This has been brought to the notice of the court, he said.

Raghupathi Bhat who also spoke, said  the agony he suffered due to the long legal battle  was unimaginable and added he could not provide his daughter the  education of her choice due to his financial issues and also that he could not provide best treatment to his wife who passed away in 2011.

He also  urged the government to ensure he got his due with regard to pension.