Pensioners go on hunger strike, to give memos to MLAs on Feb 8, 13 & 18

On the call of Punjab Government Pensioners Joint Front, a group of 11 pensioners led by Jit Lal Gohalon, Karnail Singh Rahon and Ajit Singh Barnala went on a hunger strike in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office today and submitted memorandums to the Deputy Commissioner to be forwarded to the Chief Minister, Finance Minister, Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary, Finance. The pensioners on hunger strike included Karnail Singh Rahon, Jeet Lal Gohalon, Sohan Singh, Jasvir Moron, Joga Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Ram Pal, Ram Lal, Des Raj Bajjon, Rachpal Singh and Gurdial Singh.

Addressing the protest, Kuldeep Singh Durka, Joga Singh, Som Lal Takla, Rawal Singh, Harbhajan Singh Bhawra and Varinder Kumar appealed that the Constitution, democracy, unity and integrity of the country must be protected, and sought response to the demands of the pensioners, which had been pending for years.

As per the decision of the Punjab Employees and Pensioners Joint Front, on February 8, a memorandum will be submitted to Banga constituency MLA Sukhwinder Sukhi, on February 13 to Nawanshahr MLA Nachhattar Pal and on February 18 to Balachaur MLA Santosh Kataria They said the memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister will include all demands. Pensioners have been requested to be ready as per the announcement to participate in the four-day protest being held in Chandigarh during the state budget session.

Avtar Singh, Prince Ishwar Chandra, Charanjit, Ajit Singh, Tarsem Lal, Ajit Kumar, Balbir Singh, Bhajan Lal, Didar Singh, Pushpinder Kumar, Ajmer Singh, Piara Singh, Sham Lal, Hardiljit Singh, Major Singh, Jagdish Ram, etc. were also present on the occasion.

Phagwara: The activists of Punjab Government Pensioners Joint Front, Phagwara, organised a hunger strike-cum- protest under the leadership of Mohan Singh, president, Punjab Pensioners Welfare Association, in front of the ADC office in Hargobind Nagar today.

Addressing the media persons, the leaders stated that they had gathered to express their remorse against the AAP-led Punjab Government for the non-fulfillment of their demands. They demanded that as per the Sixth Pay Commission, pension should be revised by 2.59 per cent without any delay, contract employees working under various departments of the state government should be made permanent, Rs 18,000 per month salary should be sanctioned for ASHA workers, Anganwadi and facilitators, payment of DA arrears should be ensured and orders given by courts in favour of pensioners and employees should be implemented. The protesters also demanded to dismiss cases registered against pensioners in various districts of Punjab.

Later, they submitted a memorandum at the office of ADC Narinder Singh.