THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A new committee comprising Finance and Law Ministers and the Chief Secretary has been constituted to scrutinize the recommendations of the report of the committee appointed to review the contributory pension implemented in 2013 for government employees. The cabinet meeting decided that the committee should take a decision on pension re-examination without delay.

Participatory pension was implemented for those who joined the service after April 1, 2013. The first Pinarayi government's election slogan was to review the participatory pension scheme. A committee was appointed for the study when the pressure from the service organizations was strong. No action has been taken two years after the report.

Meanwhile, the Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department issued a circular stating that all government employees must join the scheme before September 19 and that there will be no more relaxation.

With this, the contributory pensioners came forward with a protest rally demanding to give up their membership in all ruling party service organizations. A high-level committee was again appointed for re-examination after this.

According to the government, the special committee was formed in the circumstances where a detailed examination was required in the report of the re-examination committee.

Obstacle to withdraw, 1700 crore loan

• Central government had stipulated that additional loans could be sanctioned to the states which give an affidavit every year that they will continue with the contributory pension scheme.
• Kerala had taken a loan of Rs 1,700 crore last year according to this. This assistance will be received this year also. This is the main obstacle to the withdrawal of the project