Kangra: Pensioners demand monthly payments in time, hold rally
The Pensioners’ Welfare Association of Kangra district held a protest rally in support of its demands today. Earlier, all office-bearers of the district association, heads and general secretaries of 15 blocks and urban units participated in a meeting.
Addressing the pensioners, state press secretary Manmohan Pathania spoke about the agenda of the meeting, which pertained the non-payment of pension for August. The gathering objected to the new precedent of crediting pension into bank accounts on the 10th of month. They unanimously decided to launch a stir against the state government if it failed to pay the pension on the 10th and did not restore the earlier practice of pension payment on the first of the month.
A rally, under the leadership of Suresh Thakur, association’s state senior vice president and district head, was taken out from Jodhmal Sarai Depot Bazaar to Kachheri Adda.
Addressing the pensioners, Suresh Thakur warned the government that the pensioners of the state will not tolerate injustice and will be forced to take to the streets if the pension was not paid timely.
The association members mentioned that financial benefits to the retired employees were due from January 1, 2016 to January 31, 2022, including revised gratuity, leave increment, commutation and revised pension. They demanded the provision of special budget for payment of pending medical bills of pensioners.
Coming out in support of the Secretariat Association, Shimla, Suresh Thakur appealed to the CM to hold talks with the association representatives. All the pensioners were asked to reassemble on the September 20 to take a stock of the developments.
