'Pension Is Service Matter, Approach Armed Forces Tribunal': Supreme Court Dismisses Plea Seeking Revised Pension For Ex-Servicemen

The Supreme court bench comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Bela M. Trivedi dismissed a petition by the an organisation of ex- servicemen society seeking a direction for payment of revised pension for those who retired before 1.1.2016. The court held that since pension is covered within Service matters, they should approach the Armed Forces Tribunal which must decide the issue expeditiously.

The petitioner 'Voice of Ex-Servicemen society' contended that 6th pay commission, 7th pay commission as well as government via gazette notification had accepted revised pension would be paid to those who retired both pre and post 1.1.2016.

Even during the implementation, the government had accepted that those who retired pre 1.1.2016 would be covered. However, in a volte face, the government later declared that the revised pension would be applicable only for those retiring post 1.1.2016

The petitioner urged the court that they cannot approach the tribunal collectively and since thousands of senior citizens are aggrieved in this matter, the entire process would be cumbersome.

The court ordered that retired officers would be permitted to file the matter in a representative capacity but no federations would be allowed.

Case title- Voice of Ex servicemen society v. Union of India, 2023