Pensioners of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) in Una district on Saturday protested against the pending payment of their dearness allowance (DA), alleging discrimination compared to other government retirees.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Una district unit of the HRTC Pensioners Welfare Association gathered at the district headquarters to voice their grievances, raising slogans against the Deputy Chief Minister, who also oversees the Transport portfolio.
According to association president Kishori Lal, while serving employees of the HRTC and retirees from all other state government departments have received a recent 5 per cent DA installment, HRTC retirees have been denied their dues. The state government, he stated, owes these retirees a total of 18 per cent dearness allowance.
The disparity in payment extends beyond the recent DA installment. Pension arrears dating back to January 1, 2016, have reportedly been disbursed to all employees except HRTC retirees. Furthermore, medical bills for these retirees have allegedly remained pending for several years, adding to their financial strain.
Lal further elaborated on the persistent nature of the issue, stating that a delegation representing the State Joint Action Committee of HRTC retired employees had met with the HRTC Managing Director on October 3, seeking a resolution to these long-standing dues. Despite these efforts, the pensioners claim that their concerns have not been adequately addressed.
The protest underscores the financial challenges faced by a significant segment of former HRTC employees. The dearness allowance is intended to help retirees cope with the rising cost of living, and its non-payment impacts their essential expenses and financial planning. The medical bills pending further exacerbate the situation, potentially delaying critical healthcare access.
The Himachal Road Transport Corporation, as a state-run entity, is responsible for the employment and retirement benefits of its staff. However, the financial health of such corporations can sometimes lead to delays in payments, particularly when there are inter-departmental or state government funding dependencies. The discrepancy highlighted by the pensioners suggests a systemic issue in the timely disbursement of benefits specific to HRTC retirees.
The Deputy Chief Minister’s dual role as Transport Minister places him in a position to influence decisions regarding the HRTC. The protesters’ decision to direct their slogans towards him indicates their expectation for a swift intervention from his office to resolve the pending DA payments and other financial entitlements. The demand for 18 per cent DA arrears points to a significant cumulative amount that has been withheld, affecting a large number of retirees.
The association’s reference to a meeting with the HRTC Managing Director on October 3 suggests that the management is aware of the issue, but the continued protest implies that the proposed solutions or the pace of resolution has been unsatisfactory for the pensioners. The union’s ongoing efforts to engage with management and government officials highlight their persistent pursuit of rightful dues.
The situation reflects a broader challenge in ensuring timely and equitable disbursement of retirement benefits across various government and semi-government sectors. Pensioners, having dedicated years of service, are entitled to receive their dues without undue delay, especially as they often rely on these payments for their livelihood and medical needs. The focus of the protest on dearness allowance and pending medical bills suggests immediate financial pressures faced by the HRTC retirees in Himachal Pradesh.
The Chenab Times News Desk
