Pensioners give Himachal govt August 15 deadline on DA, arrears

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Dharamshala, August 10

Himachal Pradesh Pensioners Joint Action Committee state president Suresh Thakur announced an intensification of the pensioners’ agitation against the state government during a press conference in Dharamshala. He said around 2,000 to 2,500 pensioners participated in a protest rally held in Shahpur over their long-pending demands.

Thakur warned that if the government fails to issue a notification by August 15 announcing two pending DA installments and clearing outstanding arrears, pensioners will stage protests and sit-ins at all district headquarters from the first week of October. He said the protesters could even set up tents at district headquarters and continue their agitation day and night if necessary.

The pensioners have demanded 15 percent DA, 100 percent payment of pending arrears, early settlement of medical bills, and clearance of outstanding dues related to commutation, leave encashment and gratuity for retired employees.

They also demanded the timely payment of pensions, the pending DA, and other financial benefits for HRTC pensioners. Other demands included restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for employees of the Electricity Board and other corporations, revised pension benefits for pensioners of urban local bodies, and revision of pensions for retired employees covered under UGC pay scales.

The committee also sought continuation of the existing offline facility for submitting life certificates alongside the digital system.

Thakur said the pensioners’ organization is non-political and treats both the Congress and BJP equally. He also questioned the state government over the rising debt burden and warned that continued neglect of pensioners’ demands could prompt the organization to reconsider its political strategy ahead of the next Assembly elections.

He said that if required, pensioners could field leadership in every Assembly constituency and take steps towards forming a third political front.