Pensioners condemn government, seek fulfillment of demands

Our Correspondent

Doraha, July 4

A meeting of the Government Pensioners’ Association today condemned the allegedly stubborn, insensitive and irresponsible attitude of the government as it has failed to fulfil long-pending demands of pensioners.

It was presided over by Pawan Kumar Kaushal at Krishan Kumar Kaushal Memorial Bhawan here.

Members of the association said salaries and pensions of employees and pensioners were supposed to be revised from 2016, for which a lame pay commission was set up two years ago, the term of which was repeatedly extended by the government. Finally, it issued a letter to release the pay commission report in June 2020. But due to the bad intention of the government, the term of the pay commission has now been extended till December 31 this year, betraying the pensioners and employees.

They blamed that the government was making lame excuses of empty coffers for not fulfilling the demands of the pensioners while it increased the salaries, allowances and pensions of its ministers and MLAs by two to three times, convening a special session of the Legislative Assembly.

The meeting condemned the continuous hike in the prices of petrol and diesel by the Union Government and the increase in bus fares, electricity rates and VAT on petrol and diesel by the state government.

The members demanded roll back of these hiked rates. They also condemned the decision of the Central Government to privatise the railways.

The meeting unanimously demanded from the government to accept and implement their legitimate demands, including three instalments and payment of arrears of the DA for 143 months, re-implementation of cashless scheme of medical treatment and increase in medical allowances.

The meeting was addressed by Pawan Kumar Kaushal, Ranjit Singh Tiwana, Jagir Singh, Rupinder Singh Aarechan, Satinder Pal Singh Piara Singh.

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