HPSEBL pensioners demand release of arrears, DA in one go

The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd (HPSEBL) Pensioners’ Welfare Association, Nurpur zone, convened a meeting on Saturday evening under the chairmanship of zonal president SK Dhiman, expressing deep resentment over the delay in releasing financial benefits to retired employees. The association alleged that pensioners, especially those who retired between January 2016 and January 2022, were still awaiting their rightful arrears and dearness allowance (DA) and demanded that these dues be cleared in one installment.

Dhiman, in a statement issued after the meeting, criticised the board management and the government for what he termed as step-motherly treatment towards elderly pensioners. “Many HPSEBL pensioners aged between 75 and 80 years are still waiting for revised arrears, while the government continues to withhold financial benefits amounting to crores,” he said.

He further remarked that while funds were readily available for enhancing the perks of chairmen and vice-chairmen of boards and corporations, the government coffers seemed empty when it came to disbursing dues to former employees.

The association also called for the adoption of the Shanta Kumar model to curb wasteful expenditure. Condemning the government’s restrictions on protests and gate meetings by pensioners outside HPSEBL offices, it termed the order “draconian.” Senior vice-president Balwan Thakur, secretary Shivanand and organising secretary RS Thakur were also present.