Pensioners demand release of DA installments, Pay Comm arrears

Veteran Trade Union leader Sampat Parkash and others addressing joint press conference in Jammu on Wednesday. —Excelsior/Rakesh
Veteran Trade Union leader Sampat Parkash and others addressing joint press conference in Jammu on Wednesday. —Excelsior/Rakesh

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 23: The Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Pensioners Welfare Federation, representing over 3 lakh pensioners in 22 districts, 43 Sub Districts and 85 Tehsils of three regions, today urged the Lt Governors’ Administrations in J&K and Ladakh to release 18 months DA arrears of COVID period and DA installment of January 2022 of the pensioners without any more delay.
Addressing a joint press conference veteran Trade Union leaders- Sampat Parkash (president), Ghulam Hassan Talib, Sheikh Riyaz Ahmed and GM Chou (all vice presidents), representing Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, after holding a one day seminar, expressed serious concern over ignoring the issues of pensioners and employees by the LG’s Administration. They said during seminar, the speakers from Kashmir, Ladakh and Jammu regions viewed with serious concern the legitimate, reasonable and justified demands of over three lakhs pensioners.
The Federation leaders demanded release of 18 months DA arrears of COVID period and DA installment of January 2022 of the pensioners. They also demanded release of pay arrears of nearly 3000 pensioners of J&K Industries of 6th and 7th Pay Commission, which have already been obtained by more than 3 lakh pensioners of the UT from time to time. About 300 pensioners of JKI have been paid only leave salary, but their pay arrears of 6th and 7th Pay Commission have not been paid till today. It is unfortunate that the employees who have served for over 35 years, are being made to victimize, they regretted.
Sampat Parkash demanded release of arrears amounting to Rs 1 crore of Gulmarg Development Authority pensioners for the last many years. He also demanded implementation of Minimum Wages Act in J&K UT, extend `one rank, one pension’ formula in J&K, resumption and restoration of Consumer Courts in J&K UT, ensure dignified return of Kashmir Pandits to Kashmir valley and ensure implementation of the recommendations of Parliamentary Standing Committee 110th Report on additional quantum of pension on attaining age of 65 years, 70 years and 75 years under CCS (Pension) Rules, thus enhancing pension at the rate of 5%, 10% and 15 %, respectively, in favour of pensioners of UT as extended to the Central Government employees. He also demanded opening of Day Boarding Homes for senior citizens in all the districts as proposed in Jammu and Srinagar cities.