As the world is facing the Pandemic COVID19, many people feel uncertain and panic about the life aftermath of the lockdown or the Pandemic phase. In India too people are clueless about the future that lies ahead, many fears the economy is going to face the worst possible downturn due to the ongoing nationwide lockdown. This panic has not spared the pensioners.
Amidst all these a message has been circulating on all social media platforms that the government is going to slash the pension of employees by 30% and terminate the pension of retired government employees above the age of 80 years. The claim with the viral message says the decision is taken to divert funds towards managing health care services and tackle the effects of the pandemic in the country.

Along with the misleading message people are forwarding a news article published on Rediff on April 6th, 2020 with heading ‘Govt may slash pension to employees to by 30%‘, as a credible source of information.
We, at News Sense, received several inquiries to check whether the information is true or false, mainly from the panicked retired government servants. So we tried to find out from the confirmed sources in the Finance Ministry, Government of India, whether the claims are right or not. The officials in Finance Ministry confirmed that no such decision has been made, later Union Finance Ministry, Government of India from its officials account to clarified the doubt for one and all.
Moreover, it is important here to note that on April 6, 2020, the Union cabinet had decided on 30% salary cuts for the Members of Parliament and MPLAD funds were suspended for two years. The cabinet has approved the ordinance amending the Salary, Allowances, and Pension of Members of Parliament Act, 1954, reducing allowances and pension by 30 percent with effect from April 1, 2020, for a year.
The government has also suspended the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme, or MPLAD funds, for a period of two years. Rs 10 crore from each MPLAD fund will now go to the Consolidated Fund of India. The decisions have been made in view of the country’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic. In India presently, 16 million people are entitled to get pension and retirement benefits.
Claim: Government to cut 30% from Pensioners.
Conclusion: The government ensures no salary and pensions will not be affected by Government Cash Management Instructions.
NB: Don’t share or forward any misleading information on your social media platforms including Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp, by doing so you are also becoming someone, who is creating panic and confusion among the larger mass and this is a punishable offense.