Himachal pensioners demand repeal of Validation Act, pension revision

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Joint Front says Act creates disparity among pensioners; seeks pension revision under 8th Pay Commission

Shimla, September 19

Hundreds of pensioners staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Shimla against the Validation Act, 2025, demanding its repeal and revision of pensions.

The protest was organised under the banner of the State and Central Pensioners Joint Front, Himachal Pradesh. The pensioners demanded that the Act, passed by the Centre in March 2025, be withdrawn immediately.

The pensioners said the Act divides them into two categories. According to them, those who retired before January 1, 2026, would not get pension revision and would only receive Dearness Relief (DR), while those retiring after the date would get revised pensions.

The pensioners said pension revision was their main demand and expressed concern over the absence of a provision for pension revision in the terms of reference of the 8th Pay Commission.

State and Central Pensioners’ Joint Front Himachal Pradesh general secretary Jagmohan Thakur said, “Our main demand is pension revision. There is no mention of pension revision in the terms of reference of the 8th Pay Commission. This will create an economic crisis for old pensioners.”

Thakur said the issue was not limited to central pensioners, as state pensioners would also be affected since states increased salaries and pensions in line with the Central Pay Commission.

He said pensioners would continue their fight “from the streets to the courts” if their demand was not accepted.

The pensioners said the provision would affect those who had already retired and demanded that the government withdraw the Act and address their demand for pension revision.

The Joint Front said the protest was aimed at highlighting pensioners’ concerns and seeking action from the government on the issue.