Even as the State government has formed a new department to address mobility, health care, and other challenges faced by the elderly in a rapidly ageing Kerala, an octogenarian in the State capital is on a mission to get additional pension sanctioned for State government pensioners above the age of 80 at Central government rates.M.J. Antony, an 88-year-old pensioner from Pattom, has approached the Chief Minister seeking the grant of additional pension for all State government pensioners above the age of 80, as paid to retired Central government employees.Mr. Antony says not many people are aware of additional pension. He had been accompanied on his endeavour by another pensioner K.M. Joseph till the latter’s death. Now, Mr. Antony battles on, seeking greater financial support for his hospital visits and that of a few thousand State government pensioners who are above 80 and living in difficult circumstances.The Supreme Court, he points out, in D.S. Nakara vs. Union of India had ruled that pension was a socio-economic justice measure providing relief in advancing age. It was not a bounty, but a right to dignified life in old age.The Vth Central Pay Commission had observed that pension was a statutory, inalienable, legally enforceable right, while the VIth Central Pay Commission noted that older pensioners required greater support as their health needs increased with age. The commission had recommended additional pensions, beginning with 20% of basic pension to those attaining the age of 80 and going up to 100% of basic pension for those touching 100. The Central formula had been followed by other State governments too except Kerala, says Mr. Antony.The 2009 Kerala Pay Revision Commission had recommended only 5% additional pension at 80 years and rising to 50% at 100 years. However, even this meagre recommendation was not accepted by the State government. This was despite the State government’s declared intention in the 1992 Budget speech to implement Central scales, Mr. Antony points out.Even the United Democratic Front (UDF) election manifesto in 2011 promised parity with Central rates for pensioners. However, the UDF government that came to power failed to sanction the additional pension. It was the same story with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government that remained in power for 10 years.Mr. Antony expresses apprehension that the State has been trying to find reasons to deny additional pension. The 2019 Kerala Pay Revision Commission had recommended granting a ‘special care allowance’ of ₹1,000 a month to pensioners on attaining the age of 80. The adoption of the Central formula by Kerala was beyond its fiscal sustainability.Now that the UDF government has again assumed office, it is duty-bound to honour the promise made in its 2011 election manifesto and the Constitutional mandate laid down in the Nakara case, notes Mr. Antony’s petition to the Chief Minister. It highlights the urgency of the matter, pointing out that most of pensioners above the age of 80 are bedridden, incur huge hospital expenses, and have to pay for full-time caregivers. Published - July 16, 2026 08:03 pm IST