HC orders old age pension to 95-year old man

Coming to the aid of a 95-year old man who was denied old age pension on the ground that he was fit enough to work, The Madras High Court here today ordered that he be provided the financial assistance within four weeks.
Moved by the plight of the petitioner S Murugesan who appeared in the court in person, Justice M.Venugopal asked the officials "do you think this man is fit to work?"
The petitioner, who was a sanitary inspector with the Madurai Municipality, said he got voluntary retirement and hence could not get pension.
He had a 75-year old son, who is bed-ridden and his second son died while his 68-year old daughter was not in a position to help him. Hence, he applied for the old age pension on May 19, 2014.

But the officials, to his shock, rejected it on the ground that he was fit enough to work.
"Considering his age and also the fact that he is not in a position to look after himself and have to seek the assistance of some person for his daily routine, this court directs the Madurai District Collector to give him pension within four weeks based on his application," the Judge ordered.

Such applications should be considered sympathetically and humanely by officials, he said adding as apparently, the petitioner's plight was pitiable.
The Judge also said that if the petitioner was eligible for any other assistance from the government, apart from the old age pension, such beneifits also may be extended to him and ensure that he got the maximum benefit from government schemes.

"The officials should consider his application mericifully in a benevolent manner," he added.