Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 3: Volunteer Retired Employees (VRS/GHS) of the J&K State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) today staged a demonstration and sit-in near Press Club Jammu under the leadership of Dev Raj Bali, president of the VRS Union Jammu, demanding immediate settlement of their long-pending dues and pensionary benefits.
The protesters accused the higher authorities of the Transport Department and Finance Department of deliberately delaying their legitimate claims despite multiple assurances. They alleged that officials were working hand in glove to mislead them with repeated postponements instead of resolving the issue, even though, according to the Union, all related bills are already prepared and pending in the Secretariat.
Highlighting the plight of the retired employees, the Union stated that over 75 VRS/GHS members have passed away during the 12-year struggle, many unable to afford medical treatment due to non-payment of arrears. The members appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Lt Governor of J&K to personally intervene and ensure early redressal of their grievances.
Their key demands include payment of Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) arrears from 1999 to 2005, implementation of 6th Pay Commission arrears from January 2006 to April 2012, release of Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears from April 2012 to June 2021, and extension of pension benefits to eligible retirees.
Among those who participated in the protest were Sat Bhushan Singh, Balwinder Singh, Surinder Kumar, Surinder Singh, P P Singh and Ramesh Bhau.
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