THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM leadership is deeply dissatisfied with the recently erupted pension age controversy. CPM State Secretary MV Govindan said that the order to increase the pension age in PSUs was issued without any discussion in the party or the front.

MV Govindan openly told the media that the party is unhappy with the government's decision. "The government has not held discussions with the youth workers' organizations. The order had to be frozen because the decision was taken unilaterally.", he said.

At the same time, Minister P Rajeev said that there is no need for a new controversy on the issue of raising the pension age of employees in public sector undertakings. "The decision was based on the report to the Finance Department. The order was frozen considering all the criticisms related to this.", the minister clarified.

Yesterday, the cabinet meeting froze the decision to consolidate the pension age of 60 in public sector institutions due to the opposition of the opposition and left youth organizations. The plan is to take separate decisions based on the situation of each institution.

At present, the pension age is 58 in most of the PSUs which have only the Employees Provident Pension Scheme. On Saturday, an order was issued unifying the pension age to 60 in 122 public sector organizations and six financial corporations apart from KSEB, KSRTC and Water Authority. As the order has been frozen, the pension age of various institutions will remain at 56, 58 and 60.