Himachal pensioners announce protest over delayed payments

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Yog Raj Sharma

The North News

Shimla, October 4

The Himachal Pradesh government, already struggling with financial constraints, faces fresh pressure from state pensioners who have announced a series of protests over delayed and pending dues. At a meeting in Shimla, the Joint Pensioners’ Front Himachal Pradesh accused the state government of failing to release pensions on time, clear arrears dating back to 2016, and settle medical reimbursement claims worth crores of rupees.

The group’s president, Atma Ram Sharma, said pensioners were also waiting for a 16% hike in dearness allowance (DA). While the government announced a 3% DA increase in May, Sharma said it has not yet been implemented. “Repeated memorandums have been submitted, but the government has ignored them. Pensioners are deeply disappointed and have now decided to fight. From October 14, we will launch a protest on the streets,” Sharma said.

The Joint Pensioners’ Front is preparing for a large-scale demonstration on October 14. Meanwhile, another faction, the Joint Action Committee Himachal Pradesh, has also warned of a protest on 17 October over the same set of issues.