In Brief
The Supreme Court set aside orders granting invalid pension to the widow of a deceased government employee. The employee had retired due to mental incapacity but did not satisfy the qualifying service requirement prescribed under Rule 39 of the Orissa Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1992. While acknowledging the need for compassion in pension matters, the Court held that qualifying service is mandatory for claiming invalid pension benefits. Since the widow had already received gratuity benefits and secured government employment under the Rehabilitation Assistance Scheme, the Court found the additional invalid pension relief unjustified and unwarranted. The appeal was allowed.
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