HC gives Telangana govt final chance to implement retired employee’s pension order | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: Telangana high court on Tuesday expressed strong displeasure over the state govt’s failure to implement a 2021 court order relating to pension, gratuity and pension commutation benefits for a retired high court employee, warning that further delay could invite contempt proceedings.A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice P Sam Koshy and Justice Suddala Chalapathi Rao made it clear that sufficient time had already been granted for compliance and said that “nothing less than compliance report (will be accepted).” The court gave the govt a final opportunity and posted the matter to Nov 17.The bench also cautioned that any further delay could result in the state being directed to pay interest on the amounts due to the petitioner. It observed that non-compliance could no longer be justified on the grounds of inter-departmental consultations, suggestions, or alternative proposals.The directions came while hearing a contempt petition filed by G Nirmala, a retired attender of the high court, alleging non-implementation of orders passed in her favour in Dec 2021.In the earlier order, the high court had directed the govt to treat Nirmala’s case as a special case and take an appropriate decision by relaxing the relevant rules in view of her circumstances. Alleging inaction despite the order, she subsequently moved the court seeking contempt action.Special govt pleader S Rahul Reddy informed the court that the process of finalising the petitioner’s claim was under way and that the govt was considering granting relief by treating the matter as a special case.Rahul Reddy further said the departments were concerned that extending the benefit could prompt similar claims from other employees who had retired under comparable circumstances.Rejecting the argument, the bench observed that no such cases had been brought before the court so far. The court warned that contempt proceedings would be initiated if the order remains unimplemented by the next hearing.