93-year-old Karnataka prisoner Nagamma passes away days after being released on parole
Kalaburagi: Nagamma, a 93-year-old woman prisoner granted parole last month following the intervention of Upalokayukta Justice B. Veerappa, passed away a few days after returning home.
Justice Veerappa, during a visit to the Central Prison in Kalaburagi on November 16, was moved by Nagamma's deteriorating health. Bedridden and struggling with age-related issues, she was unable to perform her daily tasks and had expressed a desire to spend her final days at home.
Moved by her condition, Justice Veerappa directed officials of the Legal Services Authority to file an appeal in the Supreme Court seeking her release on temporary parole. Additionally, he instructed the Kalaburagi Jail Superintendent and Police Superintendent to grant her parole until the apex court could review her case and deliver its verdict.
Acting on the Upalokayukta’s instructions, government officials submitted a petition to the Supreme On November 29, Nagamma was released on parole, and her daughters took her home.
The Upalokayukta expressed satisfaction with the decision, calling it a humane response to her situation. Tragically, on Friday, just a week after being reunited with her family, Nagamma passed away at home, fulfilling her wish to spend her final days with her loved ones.
Nagamma had been in prison for 26 years after being convicted under IPC Section 498 in connection with the death of her daughter-in-law. She had faced allegations of molestation in the case, which was registered by Jewargi Police.
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Karnataka government employees demand return of Old Pension Scheme
Bengaluru: Government employees in Karnataka have urged the state government to scrap the New Pension Scheme (NPS) and bring back the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), The New Indian Express reported.
The demand was made by the Karnataka State Government Employees’ Association, whose leaders met senior IAS officer Uma Mahadevan on Monday and submitted a memorandum. The association asked the NPS Review Committee, headed by senior IAS officer Anjum Parvez, to recommend the reintroduction of OPS in the state.
Association president C.S. Shadakshari reportedly said the review committee has already visited Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana where NPS was revoked and OPS re-implemented. The committee is yet to submit its report, but has told the government it will do so soon.
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Shadakshari allegedly said NPS has been in force in Karnataka since 2006. He pointed out that West Bengal never adopted the scheme, while Andhra Pradesh and Telangana replaced NPS with a contributory pension model.
States including Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Jharkhand have already scrapped NPS through cabinet decisions or budget announcements.
“Under NPS, 10% of the employees’ basic salary and DA, and 14% contribution from the state is credited to the employees’ fund. It constitutes 24% of the total which is non-withdrawable. This is invested in the share market and the final amount depends on the ups and downs of the market,” TNIE quoted Shadakshar as saying.
As per the report, he said that by limiting its contribution to 14%, the government could save up to ₹1.87 lakh crore annually if all vacancies are filled, strengthening the case for bringing back the old pension system.
