The Hindu : Braving odds in the winter of their lives

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 19, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Braving odds in the winter of their lives

By Y. Mallikarjun

Hyderabad Oct. 18. "I am hardly able to make both ends meet with the meagre monthly pension. I have to borrow money most of the times. If the Government releases the withheld Dearness Allowance, I can, at least, repay part of my debts," bemoans, A .Vijayalaxmi, a 56-year-old widow who lost both her legs in a train accident.

"Why should it be denied to us when it is paid to the employees?" she asks. The same question torments about four-lakh pensioners in the light of the Government's persistent refusal to release the four instalments of enhanced DA to them since July 2001.

Squatting on a stool in her small house, a portion of which has been rented for Rs. 500, she says much of the Rs. 3,000 family pension every month goes towards clearing the power and water bill. A phone booth did not help to boost family income.

Flanked by her 25-year-old son and a 23-year-old daughter, both mentally challenged, she laments that there is no support from any quarter. "Pension is my only source. I cannot even buy medicines for the stomach ulcer that I suffer from. I am just waiting for the release of DA instalments," she says.

It's the same story with 61-year-old widow, M. Rajeswari, who says, "My pension is Rs. 2,288, but half of it goes towards medicines. The PCO allotted to me hardly adds to the kitty."

The Government has stonewalled repeated pleas for the release of the four instalments of enhanced DA. The AP Government Retired Employees Association has moved the apex court on the issue and the case hearing began on October 9.

Talking to The Hindu, V. Narayana Reddy, president of the association, and T. Manohar, a retired Hindi pandit, say most of the pensioners are feeling neglected in the evening of their lives by the same Government for which they gave their sweat and toil. While some are able to fend for themselves, it's a daily struggle for many in the wake of the break up of the joint families. "They are neglected both, by their wards as well as the Government," they say, adding that more facilities, especially on medical front should be provided to the pensioners, as they are prone to ailments. The payment of enhanced DA to pensioners would only cost Rs. 2 crores per month while it would be to the extent of Rs. 10 crores for the employees. Mr. Manohar says that 11 per cent of the DA has been stopped by the Government. "If a pay revision takes place now our consolidation DA will get reduced by four instalments. We are not seeking any charity. DA is our fundamental right," he asserts. Lambasting the callous attitude of the Government towards pensionsers, K. Annapurna, who underwent knee replacement surgery a few days ago, says pensioners in many cases continue to be saddled with responsibilities like meeting the educational and marriage expenses of their children. "How can we live? Prices of all commodities have shot up by several times. Let the Government control prices if they don't want to give DA. The DA release will enable me to meet at least part of the medical expenses," she adds.

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