Hyderabad: The Telangana State government brings the Telangana Disaster and Public Health Emergency (Special Provisions) Ordinance 2020 to make special provisions for the deferment of payment of salaries, pensions and other dues in the event of disaster and public health emergency in the State. The ordinance was brought out in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic, allowing the State government to defer payment of salaries, pensions, and other payments.

Ordinance Application

Accordingly, the State government has been empowered to defer payments in part, due and payable to any person or institution. Similarly, it has been empowered to defer the pay to the government employees and pensioners and other persons (ready contract or outsourcing employees). The ordinance enables the government to defer payment of monthly pay, pension or remuneration to the employee, pensioner or other persons to the extent not exceeding half (50 per cent) the total monthly payment during such period.

It is also applicable for any institution owned or controlled or aided by the Government including aided schools and college teachers, local self-government institutions, statutory bodies, universities, corporations, aided educational institutions and such other institutions.

Assembly Session

As the Legislature of the State is not in session, the ordinance was promulgated in the name of Governor of Telangana State.  

Further, the ordinance mandates the government to pay the deferred amount within six months from the date of deferment. However, the State government may make amendments. The ordinance, which was published in the State Gazette on Tuesday, will be introduced in the next session of the State Legislative Assembly and the Council for necessary approvals.

High Court Order

Earlier this week,  the Telangana high court on Monday wondered as to which a clause of the law has permitted the state government to cut down their pensions from April 2020 and gave two days to the government to justify its stand while hearing a batch of petitions. Making no bones about his unhappiness at the government’s move, he further said: “Pension is not a charity. Law does not accord you (government) any permission even to defer its payment.” “The GO issued by you in respect of pensions has no legal basis. It needs to be set aside,”