Pensioners protest delay in payment of arrears

A protest was organised in Dharamsala today by pensioners against the delay in disbursement of the pensions and payment of arrears. Large numbers of pensioners gathered at Martyrs Park and marched to Kacheri crossing in Dharamsala, carrying banners and raising slogans against the government.

Suresh Thakur, Vice-President of Pensioners Association, Himachal, said they were protesting against the failure of government to give them pensions on time. Last month, they received pension on August 10. We have urged the government to release their pensions on time on the 1st of every month. They also alleged that many pensioners have not received their dues as arrears for the implementation of the 6th pay commission.

Thakur said the situation of people who have retired since January 1, 2024, was more precarious. Many of them have not been paid leave encashment and gratuity benefits. They are being made to wait even for pension now, he said.

The pensioners’ union leaders were also annoyed at not being allowed to meet CM Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu. They alleged that the union leaders had gone to meet the CM recently but they were not allowed. It was for the first time that the elected head of state had refused to meet the pensioners, they said.

The protestors alleged that they had given time till September 15 to the state government to constitute a committee to redress their grievances, but nothing was done, due to which they were forced to take to streets.