Apathy to the concerns of a fellow employee is perhaps heard of, but Mrs. Champa Devi's example is a telling story as to how the carelessness of the Directorate of Pension and Department of Health, Government of Uttar Pradesh led to non payment of her pension during her life time.
Mrs. Champa Devi alias Champa Shah retired as a Health Inspector from the Primary Health Centre, Chandauli, District Sonebhadra, Uttar Pradesh in the year 1992. Till her death on the 7th January, 2004, she continued to approach concerned authorities for her pension, but all in vain. Ironically, the order for payment of her pension was passed by the Directorate of Pension on the 11th February, 2004, eleven years after her retirement, and almost a month after her death. On consideration of the material on record, the Commission observed that the claim of no delay on the part of the authorities is contrary to the facts. "Pension to a retired Government servant is a means to allow him/her to live with some dignity which is a part of human right." This is a clear case of violation of her human rights, and the State cannot escape its liability to compensate her next of kin, and recommended that the Government of Uttar Pradesh pay monetary relief of rupees 50 thousand to the next of the kin of the deceased pensio-ner. A compliance report along with proof of payment has also been sought.