Pensioners Accuse Higher Education Department Of 'Violating SRC Guidelines'

Bhubaneswar: Despite strict instruction issued by the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) for the senior citizens to stay indoors in view of heat wave and Coronavirus pandemic, the Higher Education department has allegedly forced the retired employees to appear personally at concerned offices for document verification in order to avail post-retirement benefit and pension eerier.

The Utkal University Retired Employee Association has alleged that some members of the association have recently received notice from the higher education department to visit the concerned offices for document verification and signature on relevant papers to avail pension and other benefits.

"They asked us to visit the office for personal verification even as the Special Relief Commissioner has strictly instructed the senior citizens to remain indoors in view of Covid-19 pandemic and heat-wave condition. But, they have issued notice asking us to appear personally, which violates the government guidelines, "said Rabi Biswal, general secretary of the Association.

Notably, the SRC, in his recent notification has advised people especially children and elderly citizens to stay indoors during noon hours to avoid heatwave related eventuality.

The SRC has also directed all district Collectors to take precautionary measures to check heat wave casualty.