Jalandhar: Pensioners on hunger strike, will submit memorandum to MLAs on 8, 13 and 18 February

Jalandhar: On the call of Punjab Government Pensioners United Front, a group of 11 pensioners led by Jeet Lal Gohlon, Karnail Singh Rahon and Ajit Singh Barnala today went on a hunger strike in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office and submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner and sent it to the Chief Minister, Finance Minister, Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary Finance. The pensioners sitting on hunger strike included Karnail Singh Rahon, Jeet Lal Gohlon, Sohan Singh, Jasvir Moron, Joga Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Ram Pal, Ram Lal, Des Raj Bajjo, Rachpal Singh and Gurdayal Singh. Addressing the protest, Kuldeep Singh Dudka, Joga Singh, Som Lal Takla, Rawal Singh, Harbhajan Singh Bhawra and Varinder Kumar appealed that the constitution, democracy, unity and integrity of the country should be protected and demanded answers to the long pending demands of the pensioners. As per the decision of Punjab Employees and Pensioners United Front, a memorandum will be submitted to Banga constituency MLA Sukhwinder Sukhi on February 8, Nawanshahr MLA Nachattar Pal on February 13 and Balachaur MLA Santosh Kataria on February 18. He said that all the demands will be included in the memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister.

Pensioners have been appealed to be ready to participate in the four-day protest being held in Chandigarh during the state budget session as announced. Avtar Singh, Prince Ishwar Chandra, Charanjit, Ajit Singh, Tarsem Lal, Ajit Kumar, Balbir Singh, Bhajan Lal, Didar Singh, Pushpinder Kumar, Ajmer Singh, Pyara Singh, Sham Lal, Hardiljit Singh, Major Singh, Jagdish Ram etc were also present on the occasion. Phagwara: Workers of Punjab Government Pensioners United Front Phagwara today held a hunger strike-cum-demonstration in front of ADC office in Hargobind Nagar under the leadership of Punjab Pensioners Welfare Association President Mohan Singh. Addressing reporters, the leaders said they had gathered to express regret against the AAP-led Punjab government for not fulfilling their demands. They demanded that pensions be increased by 2.59 per cent as per the Sixth Pay Commission without any delay, contract employees working under various state government departments be made permanent, ASHA workers, Anganwadi and facilitators be sanctioned Rs 18,000 per month salary, payment of DA arrears be ensured and orders given by courts in favour of pensioners and employees be implemented. The protesters also demanded quashing of cases registered against pensioners in various districts of Punjab. Later, they submitted a memorandum at the office of ADC Narinder Singh.