SCCL Pension Holders Urge Minister for Timely Payments

Retired employees of the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) have expressed their frustration over delayed pension disbursements, which left many without essential funds during the Dasara festival. In an open letter addressed to Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy, they blamed officials from the Coal Miners Provident Fund (CMPF) for the oversight and urged for immediate action to rectify the situation.

On October 3, as families across Telangana celebrated Dasara, approximately 80,000 pension holders were left without their monthly payments. Traditionally, these pensions are credited on the first day of each month; however, due to what the retirees describe as negligence from CMPF officials, many were unable to access their funds. This delay forced numerous pensioners into dire situations, with some reportedly unable to afford basic necessities during the festive period.

In their letter, the pensioners not only requested timely crediting of their pensions but also urged Minister Reddy to consider introducing a social security pension scheme akin to the Aasara program in Telangana. This initiative provides financial assistance to various groups, and the retired employees believe a similar program could significantly alleviate their financial burdens.

The emotional toll of this situation is evident, as many pensioners expressed feelings of despair over their inability to celebrate a major cultural event due to financial constraints. The letter highlights the urgent need for government intervention to ensure that pension payments are made consistently and on time.

The retirees are advocating for systematic changes to prevent future delays. They are calling on the minister to implement measures that would guarantee the pension funds are deposited into their accounts on the first day of every month, thereby ensuring they have access to their entitlements without disruption.

The SCCL pensioners hope that Minister Reddy will recognize the importance of their requests and take swift action to address the ongoing issues with pension disbursement, allowing them to enjoy their rights as retired employees.