Retired Professor Denied Pension for 12 Years; Human Rights Commission Issues Ultimatum

A retired professor in Telangana had been waiting for pension benefits for 12 years. The Human Rights Commission has directed NIMS to release all outstanding benefits and submit a compliance report within three weeks. Here are the details of the case.

For any employee, the pension and other post-retirement benefits serve as a crucial pillar of financial security; however, a retired professor in Telangana had to wait nearly 12 years for these very benefits. The matter dragged on for so long that the Telangana Human Rights Commission eventually had to intervene. The Commission has now directed NIMS, Hyderabad, to promptly release the outstanding pension-related benefits.

This case concerns Dr. Mantha Srinivas, a former professor at the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad. He served as a professor in the Department of Anesthesiology and took voluntary retirement (VRS) on November 13, 2014. Although he submitted his pension-related documents, the payment of his post-retirement benefits remained stalled for a long period. Dr. Srinivas approached the Telangana Human Rights Commission regarding this delay. The Commission issued its order on the matter on October 5, 2026.

Payment Not Received Despite 2023 Order

A significant aspect of the case is that the Telangana government had already directed NIMS to release the professor's pensionary benefits in October 2023; yet, the payment was not made. During this time, the matter had to go through various committees and procedures, which further exacerbated the delay.

The Commission expressed displeasure over the prolonged delay in payment and the manner in which the case was handled. According to the Commission, a pension is a right earned through years of service and is vital for financial security and a dignified life after retirement.

NIMS Director Must Personally Oversee the Matter

The Telangana Human Rights Commission has directed the NIMS Director to personally monitor this case. Instructions have been issued to determine all pensionary benefits due to Dr. Srinivas and ensure their payment within three weeks. Additionally, NIMS is required to submit a compliance report to the Commission. The next hearing for the matter is scheduled for November 2, 2026.

Action to Follow if Order is Disregarded

The Commission has also clarified that failure to comply with the directive could require the NIMS Director to appear personally before the Commission to explain the delay. However, the three-week timeframe applies specifically to this case and cannot be considered a general rule applicable to all pension matters. This case highlights the significant distress that delays in retirement benefits can cause an elderly employee. In such instances, it is crucial to preserve documents such as pension applications, receipts, departmental correspondence, and government orders.