The Indian Express ·
‘Total lack of sensitivity’: Why Bombay High Court wants education official’s removal
A retired teacher was seeking Old Pension Scheme benefits under Maharashtra Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1982, counting her part-time service from June 1992 to June 2010 towards her qualifying service for pension, which is 30 years.
Terming it “sheer harassment” of a retired senior citizen, the Bombay High Court has directed state authorities to grant a former teacher her dues under the Old Pension Scheme. The court criticised the incumbent Pune Deputy Director of Education, Ganpat More, for a total “lack of sensitivity” in withholding her benefits and asked the Maharashtra government to replace him.
The court was acting on a plea by the teacher, Premlata Gore, who sought Old Pension Scheme benefits under the Maharashtra Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1982, counting her part-time service from June 1992 to June 2010 towards her qualifying service for pension, which is 30 years. She retired in January 2022, after around 30 years of service.
Coming down heavily on the Pune Deputy Director of Education, Ganpat More, a bench of Justices G S Kulkarni and Neela Gokhale said, “We have repeatedly come across cases where the officer has acted in complete defiance of law, thereby causing serious prejudice to teachers who are consequently required to knock on the doors of this court. We accordingly direct the Secretary, School Education and Sports Department, Government of Maharashtra, Mantralaya, to withdraw the charge of Deputy Director of Pune Region, Pune, from Mr Ganpat More.”
