Pensioners hold protest over development tax

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 11

The Punjab Subordinate Services Federation and Punjab and UT employee’s action committee burnt effigies of the state government on Wednesday. They have been opposing the government’s decision to impose the development tax of Rs 200 on pensioners.

They also sought revival of the old pension scheme, regular jobs for contractual employees, implementation of the pay commission report and release of arrears of dearness allowance. Earlier, the federation had demanded increase in the remuneration of mid-day meal workers.

Leading the protests, Narinder Bal, Joginder Singh and other leaders said the imposition of tax on pensioners was a bad idea. “The pensioners and contractual employees are anyways not getting their dues in time and have to survive on meagre earnings. To further cut from their pocket is unjustified and the government is only busy filling pockets of transport mafia and other lobbies,” said Joginder Singh.

They said the employees would be forced to intensify their protest if the government failed to fulfil their demands. “Protests will be carried out till July 17. If our demands are not met, we will intensify our stir across the state,” the protesters added.