Release dues, set up consultative committee, pensioners urge govt

Hundreds of pensioners today staged a protest against the state government outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office here and demanded immediate release of dues of employees, who retired between 2016 and 2022.

The pensioners also demanded the government to constitute a Joint Consultative Committee of Pensioners and convene its meeting at the earliest, payment of dues to pensioners on the first day of every month, payment of Rs 50,000 lump sum benefit as given to other pensioners under the 6th Pay Commission to HRTC pensioners and release the payment of 16% pending DR installments along with arrears.

The pensioners further asked the government to come up with the provision of sufficient budget to clear the huge backlog of pending medical reimbursement bills of pensioners and to pay the arrears of the 6th Pay Commission in a single installment.

Addressing the protest, Atma Ram Sharma, president, Joint Pensioners’ Front, Himachal Pradesh, said the pensioners had been pursuing their pending and genuine demands for a considerable time.

“Unfortunately, it appears that the state government continues to remain indifferent to the sufferings of the pensioners. The pensioners, who retired between 2016 and 2022, are the worst affected, as a substantial amount of their legitimate dues still remain unpaid. A ray of hope had emerged a few months back when we were assured of positive action, but all our expectations were dashed to the ground as no relief has yet been provided,” he said.

Atma Ram also warned the government of intensifying their movement if it fails to fulfil their demands. After the protest, the pensioners submitted a memorandum of their demands to the Chief Minister through the Shimla DC.