The Forum of Civil Pensioners’ Associations, Tripura State, organised a sit-in demonstration near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, adjacent to the Circuit House in Agartala, on Saturday, pressing for various demands concerning retired government employees and pensioners.

The two-hour protest was held from 11 AM to 1 PM, with members of the organisation and pensioners participating in the programme.

The organisation raised a total of 11 demands, seeking solutions to the longstanding problems faced by pensioners, parity in financial benefits and the protection of the legitimate rights of retired employees.

Among the major demands raised during the demonstration were withdrawal of the validation-related provisions, ensuring parity among pensioners of all categories, introduction of a Pay Commission at regular intervals along with interim financial benefits during the process, and merger of Dearness Relief (DR) with basic pay and basic pension once it reaches 50 per cent.

The organisation claimed that retired employees have been facing various discrepancies in pension and other financial benefits for a long time, leaving a large section of pensioners in financial difficulties. It urged the government to hold discussions with the organisation and resolve the issues at the earliest.

Addressing the gathering, organisation secretary Gopal Chandra Sen said the programme was organised to secure the legitimate demands and rights of pensioners. He said the organisation had repeatedly drawn the attention of the concerned authorities to the issues, but the expected solutions had not been forthcoming, forcing the pensioners to take to the streets.

Organisation president Manik Lal Bhattacharjee said retired government employees had served the government in various capacities throughout their long careers and deserved adequate financial benefits and social security after retirement. He appealed to the government to consider the demands of pensioners seriously and take effective steps at the earliest.

Members of the organisation and pensioners participated in the sit-in and raised slogans in support of their demands.

The organisation also warned that if its demands are not addressed, it may launch larger programmes in the coming days.