Ailing retired headmaster in Khammam pleads for pending retirement benefits

A retired headmaster in Khammam is struggling to access Rs 60 lakh in pending retirement benefits despite a court directive for clearance of dues. Battling cancer and severe financial distress, he has appealed to the Telangana government for urgent intervention

Khammam: Even as the High Court directed the Congress government to clear pending dues of retired government employees by April 9, several retired employees are still facing delay in clearing the dues by the government if the case of a retired headmaster is any indication.

An ailing retired headmaster, Cherukupalli Venkaiah, in Khammam has appealed to the Congress government to clear his pending retirement benefits worth Rs 60 lakh. He is yet to receive the benefits even after his retirement as headmaster at ZPHS in Aswaraopet in Kothagudem district one year ago.

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Sharing his anguish with the media here, he stated that he was battling with life-threatening cancer and other ailments besides facing severe financial distress as he is left without a single penny in hand to cover his medical treatment.

Breaking down in tears, he lamented that his inability to receive the retirement benefits due to him from the government has left him in a helpless situation where he could not afford the necessary medical care.

Venkaiah explained that he already underwent surgery for implantation of two stents. According to doctors, the cost of his current treatment for cancer and other associated ailments is estimated to be around Rs 10 lakh.

He appealed to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Finance Minister Bhatti Vikramarka and Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy to intervene in the matter. He also urged the District Collector, the District Educational Officer (DEO) and officials concerned to take immediate action to release his retirement benefits.