Ex Paramilitary personnel announce hunger strike over pension demands

Former paramilitary personnel have announced a symbolic hunger strike in New Delhi from November 12 to 18 to press for long-pending pension, promotion and rehabilitation demands, accusing the Centre of discriminatory treatment towards central armed police forces.

The Alliance of All Ex Para Military Forces Associations announced the protest at a press conference in Shimla, saying former personnel and their families from various states would join the agitation.

The association is demanding restoration of the old pension scheme, time-bound promotions and better rehabilitation measures for serving and retired personnel. It has also called for an early resolution of pending pay and pension revision issues.

Ranbir Singh, general secretary of the Ex Paramilitary Forces Welfare Association, questioned the disparity in pension benefits and said personnel who served in conflict zones, guarded national borders and handled riots and protests deserved fair treatment.

“We are losing personnel in the service of the nation, so why should there be discrimination in recognising their sacrifices?” Singh asked.

He also raised concerns over the Central Paramilitary Forces (General Administration) Act, 2026, alleging that it had adversely affected time-bound promotions for around 13,000 cadre officers.

During the press conference, VS Kadam said the issue affected around 11 lakh paramilitary personnel across the country. He also referred to the Delhi High Court’s January 11, 2023, ruling on restoration of the old pension scheme and said the Centre had challenged the decision in the Supreme Court, where the matter was awaiting a hearing.

The association has urged the government to expedite pending pay and pension revisions for serving and retired personnel of central paramilitary forces.