Another circular issued by the government has been withdrawn. This is the circular issued by the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration on the 29th to recover money for the Agrahara Insurance Scheme from the pensions of public servants.
According to a circular issued by the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, J.J Ratnasiri on the 29th, a pensioner over the age of 70 will be charged Rs.600 and a pensioner under the age of 70 will be charged Rs.400.
It further stated that pensioners who do not agree to be deducted from their salary under the insurance scheme should inform the Director General of Pensions in writing within two weeks from the date of issuance of this circular.
Many public service retirees’ associations protested against the government’s decision, warning that they too would take to the streets against the decision. They had said that the Secretary to the Ministry did not have the power to extort money from pensioners in such an arbitrary manner.
Following the protests, the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration yesterday (09) again issued a circular stating that the previously issued circular for the further expansion of the Active Agrahara Insurance Scheme for Retired Public Officers has been temporarily suspended.
