Calling the new pension scheme a ‘Chit Fund Scheme,’ the members of the Tamil Nadu Retired Government Employees Association today reiterated their demand for bringing back the old pension system.

The association’s state president, K. Gangadharan told reporters in Coimbatore that the new pension scheme, which has come into force from April 2003 onwards, was not beneficial to the retirees, and urged the government to ‘take steps to revert back with old system for the benefit of more than eight lakh pensioners in Tamil Nadu.’

Gangadharan was in Coimbatore to participate in the eighth state-level delegates conference, scheduled for tomorrow. He said that most of the demands of pensioners were based on the Central Government’s pensioners demands, and the state was also extending such benefits on similar lines.

Stating that the lack of cooperation of the finance department and the government authorities made them seek legal recourse. Accusing the government of not extending benefits to all family pensioners and legal heirs, as directed by Supreme Court in 2013, he said that pensioners retiring on crucial dates of January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 must be sanctioned increments irrespective of their date of retirement.

Other major demands include for raising the Medical Insurance Scheme to Rs.4 lakhs from the current Rs.2 lakhs, raising the monthly medical allowance to Rs.1,000, and the family security fund to Rs.1.50 lakhs.

Gangadharan added that the future course of action will be decided during the meeting tomorrow.