PANAJI: The Goa Human Rights Commission (GHRC) has recommended that the Pernem Municipal Council, in coordination with the Directorate of Municipal Administration, clear pending pension dues of retired employees within 30 days, along with 8% annual interest.
The recommendation comes amid concerns over repeated delays in pension payments, with the Commission stressing the need for a timely and systematic mechanism to ensure retirees receive their entitled benefits.
The pending dues relate to the period from February to September 2026. The GHRC has recommended that interest be calculated from the respective due dates until the outstanding payments are cleared.
To avoid similar issues in the future, the Commission has also proposed that monthly pensions be credited during the final four working days of every month.
Complaint by Retired Employees
The matter came before the Commission following a complaint by three former municipal employees — Madan Desai, Shakuntala Parab and the widow of lower division clerk Sangeet Patekar — over the non-payment of pension benefits.
During the proceedings, the Pernem Municipal Council cited financial constraints, stating that it lacked sufficient resources to clear the entire backlog immediately. The council sought three months to settle the dues and requested financial assistance of ₹13.83 lakh from the Directorate of Municipal Administration.
Earlier Intervention Failed to Prevent Further Arrears
The GHRC also referred to its earlier intervention in a similar case involving retired municipal employees and a pensioner’s widow.
In its report dated April 17, the Commission had recommended that 21 months of pending pension payments be cleared within 60 days, with 8% interest. However, the Commission observed that payments were subsequently cleared only up to January 2026, leaving fresh arrears unpaid.
Emphasising the importance of pension benefits, the Commission referred to the Supreme Court’s position that pension is a legally protected entitlement and cannot be treated as a discretionary benefit.
The concerned authorities have been directed to submit details of the action taken or proposed on the recommendations by November 13.
The Commission’s intervention aims to address the continuing pension backlog and establish a regular payment system for retired Pernem Municipal Council employees.
