NABARD Retirees Launch Agitation Over Delay in Pension Revision

Retirees of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) on Friday launched an agitation, protesting what they described as an inordinate delay in the revision of pensions and implementation of other post-retirement benefits.

The protest is being led by the All India NABARD Retired Employees Welfare Association (AINREWA), which represents more than 3,500 retired employees and family pensioners across the country. The association alleged that both the central government and NABARD management have failed to address their long-pending demands despite repeated representations.

AINREWA said the key demand is the revision of pension for NABARD-recruited employees who retired on or before November 1, 2017. Other demands include the implementation of revised family pension, which has already been approved by the government, and the removal of the upper ceiling on family pension.

The retirees are also seeking the grant of full pension after completion of 20 years of service and the fixation of pension based on the last drawn pay or the average of the last 10 months’ pay, whichever is higher.

Expressing disappointment over the delay, the association said many retirees and family pensioners are facing financial hardship and urged the authorities to resolve the issues at the earliest. The agitation will be intensified if their demands continue to be ignored, the association warned.