Shimla: Pensioners’ plight: 9 yrs on, still waiting for dues

The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Pensioners’ Forum, Shimla unit, expressed strong resentment over the non-payment of leave encashment, gratuity and other benefits to pensioners who retired after January 1, 2016, at a meeting held here. Despite a lapse of nine years, pensioners are still awaiting full payment of arrears. The forum demanded that the government and board management pay all pending liabilities to pensioners of all age groups immediately.

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The forum appreciated the payment made to pensioners above 75 years of age, but criticised the board for not extending this benefit to other age groups. “It is unfortunate that while the government can increase salaries and allowances of MLAs in a matter of minutes, it seems to be struggling to pay pensioners their rightful dues,” said TR Gupta, general secretary of the forum.

The forum also expressed concern over delays in medical bill payments and urged the board management to make regular payments. “Pensioners are facing immense difficulties in getting their medical bills reimbursed. The board needs to take concrete steps to address this issue,” said Chet Ram Sharma, secretary of the forum.

The forum requested the board to rectify errors in SMS notifications sent to pensioners regarding arrears. “Many pensioners have received incorrect information about their arrears, which is causing further confusion and hardship. The board needs to correct these errors immediately,” said Amar Singh Bhalaik, press secretary of the forum.