Government employees can claim pension only if they have completed a minimum of 20 years of service, the central administrative tribunal has held.

The applicant, Mukesh, cannot claim pension, only for the reason that he had opted for the VRS. Qualifying service is essential for a government servant to claim pension as there is no relaxation permissible," the CAT, headed by vice chairman M Ramachandran, said.

The Tribunal passed the order on a plea of a Delhi Transport Corporation employee, who alleged that he had not been given the pensionary benefits after he opted for voluntary retirement scheme and sought directions for relief.

The CAT noted that the pension scheme was there as per the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules and minimum incumbency of 20 years of service was required for a person to claim pension as a matter of right.

"Since Mukesh had to his credit only 10 years of service, it would not have been possible for the DTC to extend him the pension benefits," the Tribunal said.

"Mukesh had been given the benefits legally due to him and as authorised by the scheme," the CAT said, adding, that the provident fund and the gratuity was refunded to him.

Mukesh had been in service as a conductor with DTC from 1982 and he had opted for VRS in 1993. He was grieved after he had not been given the pensionary benefits following retirement.