The revision of pension and other enhanced benefits, to be implemented after a nod from the Chief Minister, would cost the state exchequer Rs 150 crore every year, taking the pension bill from Rs 225 crore to Rs 375 crore.

However, various associations of pensioners and employees have expressed unhappiness over the decision saying many recommendations of the State Finance Commission have been ignored by the Implementation Committee.

According to Principal Secretary(Finance) S.K.Tuteja, the 1.25 lakh Punjab pensioners would be getting much more than those of the Central government and other states.The minimum pension of a Central government retiree was Rs 1,275 per month. Besides, the Punjab pensioners got a fixed medical allowance of Rs 250 per month as compared to Rs 100 at the Centre.

Most of the pay panel recommendations that have been accepted included no ceiling on pension, no reduction in qualifying service for eligibility for full pension, revision in rates of extra-ordinary pensions, release of dearness relief along with that for serving employees, ceiling of gratuity pegged at Rs 3.50 lakh, no grant of house rent allowance or house maintenance allowance.

Endorsing the recommendation for providing residential plots, built-up houses or flats in all developed colonies of the state, the committee went a step further urging the government to prepare a scheme and assure allotment of a dwelling unit to every employee by the time he retires from service.

The Directorate of Pensions has been exhorted to set up an advisory committee comprising retired government employees for regular removal of their difficulties.

A few recommendations like additional pension in respect of service beyond 33 years and old age increase in pension have been rejected while the decision on treating dearness allowance as dearness pay and enhancement of medical facilities has been deferred.

The Punjab Subordinate Services Federation, according to its general secretary Ranbir Dhillon, has reacted sharply to rejected of several recommendations of the pay commission. It has appealed to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Finance Minister Kanwaljit Singh to ensure that instead of rejecting any of the recommendations, these are rather improved upon.

Dhillon demanded that instead of 33 per cent raise in pension, pensioners be granted 40 per cent increase as in the case of serving employees. In Amritsar, president of the Punjab Government Pensioners Forum Avtar Singh Aafat rejected the recommendations saying these were only an eye-wash. He disclosed that the Forum would stage a demonstration there on June 21 before chalking out its protest strategy.

On the other hand, pensioners in Patiala have generally welcomed the government decision.