Agartala, May 23, 2025: In a significant move to protect the financial interests of retired government employees, Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman on Friday wrote to Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha urging immediate intervention to rectify a long-standing discrepancy in pension recovery installments. The issue, affecting nearly 50,000 state pensioners, revolves around the number of monthly deductions made after pension commutation.
According to the existing pension rules—Tripura Pension Rules 1972 and CCS Pension Rules—retired government employees are allowed to commute up to 40% of their basic pension in exchange for a lump sum amount. However, the amount commuted is recovered in 180 monthly installments over a 15-year period, with an interest charge that currently stands at 7%, earlier fixed at 12%.
MLA Barman highlighted a critical concern, referencing a calculation by retired Central Government Secretary Mr. Jindal. “The pensioners should be entitled to receive their full pension after 128 months. However, continuing the deduction for 180 months results in substantial financial loss to pensioners,” Barman stated in his letter.
The matter reached the Supreme Court through petitions filed by Central Government pensioners’ organizations. In its judgment in C.W.P. No. 2490 and 8222/2024, the apex court ruled that pension deductions should not exceed 128 monthly installments and instructed that recovery beyond that period be stopped. Importantly, the court also clarified that this ruling is equally applicable to state government pensioners.
Urging state-level implementation of the Supreme Court directive, Barman wrote, “It is imperative that the Government of Tripura acts promptly on this matter. The continued deduction beyond 128 months is unjust and must be corrected in the interest of our pensioners.”
The MLA requested the Chief Minister to ensure that the Supreme Court order is enforced, bringing relief to thousands of retirees who have been facing prolonged financial strain due to extended deductions.
