In Brief
The Government of India extended the Swatantrata Sainik Samman Pension Scheme (SSSP) to Goa Liberation Movement Phase-II participants with a cut-off date of 01.08.2002. Respondent Dubhashi, approved for State pension in 2008, was denied SSSP pension as he received State pension after the cut-off. The High Court allowed his petition, holding the cut-off arbitrary. The Supreme Court reversed, holding the cut-off date was deliberately fixed after Cabinet deliberation, had rational nexus to prevent an open-ended scheme, and was a valid condition for the limited relaxation granted. State and Central pension eligibilities are distinct, and satisfying one does not automatically confer eligibility under the other.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.