Spread the news
Shimla, July 20
The Himachal Pradesh Pensioners’ Joint Front on Monday held a meeting in Shimla ahead of its scheduled meeting with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, where it plans to raise several long-pending demands related to the pensioners’ welfare.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Joint Front President Atma Ram Sharma said the delegation had been given time to meet the Chief Minister on Tuesday. He said the government had already extended several benefits to pensioners, but some dues and benefits were still pending. The delegation would urge the Chief Minister to ensure the early release of the remaining benefits.
Among the key demands, the Joint Front will seek the release of at least 50 percent of the pending benefits for pensioners who retired between 2016 and 2022. Sharma said pensioners were hopeful that the meeting would produce a positive outcome.
The organisation has also expressed hope that the state government would make announcements in favor of pensioners on the occasion of the Independence Day. It further urged the government to convene the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) meeting at the earliest to address issues concerning retired employees.
Responding to questions about alleged factionalism within the organisation, Sharma maintained that the Joint Front remained united and also shared that it expected to receive official recognition from the state government soon.
He also remarked that while the previous government had not released the pending benefits despite having sufficient funds, the present government, despite facing financial constraints, had continued to support the pensioners and also addresed their concerns.
Yog Raj Sharma
