Shimla, Aug. 8 -- In a significant ruling, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the state government to extend benefits of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) to a retired peon who was initially employed as a daily wager and later granted work charge status, observing that services rendered in such capacity cannot be ignored for pension purposes.

Justice Sandeep Sharma, while delivering judgment in CWP No. 193 of 2024 (Narender Kumar vs State of Himachal Pradesh & others), held that Narender Kumar, who started as a daily wager in January 1990 and later secured regularization in 2006, was entitled to OPS benefits, including arrears, provided he deposits the amount received under the New Pension Scheme (NPS).

"The petition is allowed. Re...