The State Human Rights Commission has issued orders that the pension benefits due to a woman employee, who retired from State Handicrafts Development Corporation (SHDC) seven years ago and who is now sick, be given immediately

The SHRC in its order asked the Secretary, Industries Department, to hand over the funds to SHDC so that the pension benefits can be given to the former employee, who has undergone two major surgeries.

Report by June 12

The Industries Secretary and SHDC managing director have been asked to submit a report by June 12 on the action taken.

The petitioner, N. Prasanna, in her petition before the SHRC said that she was unable to continue her treatment because of financial difficulties. She said that her pension benefits, including DA arrears and earned leave benefits, were yet to be paid by SHDC.

SHDC managing director told the commission that the corporation was going through a financial crisis and that it had sought an aid of ₹10 crore from the government. He said the pension dues would be paid when this aid was received.

‘Rights violation’

However, SHRC chairperson Antony Dominic said the petitioner was seeking the benefits to carry on with her medical treatment and that denying this to her was a huge human rights violation.

It was unfair that people have to wait for years to get their retirement benefits. In this case, the SHDC should have shown humanitarian consideration.