GUWAHATI: Former employees of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) are facing severe financial distress due to delayed pension payments, with many retirees waiting for their dues for the past four months. Despite multiple appeals, there has been no resolution, leaving pensioners in uncertainty.
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Talking to GPlus, a daughter of a retired GMC employee said, "My father retired from GMC after years of service, but he hasn’t received his pension for the last four months. Along with this, his arrears are also pending. Despite repeated follow-ups with the department concerned, no action has been taken. This delay has caused immense financial hardship for him and many other retired employees who depend on their pensions for daily expenses and medical needs," she said.
She further questioned the government’s priorities, "It is deeply concerning that the government is not following pension and senior citizen welfare regulations set by the Indian government. However, MPs and MLAs receive their benefits on time without any issues. This selective approach is unfair and unjust to retired employees who have dedicated their lives to public service."
Another retired GMC employee, who is struggling to make ends meet talking to GPlus said, "I have two daughters and a son. While two of them are married, I still have expenses to manage. Without our pensions, it becomes extremely difficult to sustain our daily lives. We served the city with full dedication, and now, in our old age, we are left to struggle. How can they deny us what we rightfully deserve? What can we expect from this government?" he said.
This is not the first time GMC employees have raised their concerns. In December 2024, the Guwahati Municipal Karmi Sangha (GMKS), the union representing GMC workers, had announced an indefinite strike starting December 26. The strike severely disrupted civic services across the city, as employees protested against unpaid pensions, irregular salaries, and the unfulfilled promises of better wages for contractual and daily wage workers.
Despite the protests, the issue remains unresolved, with many pensioners still waiting for their dues. The GMC administration, however, claims that it is facing financial constraints due to delays in government fund allocations.
However, now talking to GPlus, a senior GMC official said, "We receive funds from the government, and we disburse them as soon as possible. In December and January, we released pensions for three months from whatever funds we had received. However, two months worth of payments are still pending. Since March is the financial closing month, there might be further delays. Every year, we receive a budget of Rs 25 crore for pensioners, and we distribute it as soon as we get it from the government," the official stated.
