Pensioners accuse Congress govt of neglect, announce ‘Chalo Hyderabad’ protest

Hyderabad: Telangana pensioners accused the Congress government of ignoring their demands despite having ridden to power with their full support, and announced a state-wide protest scheduled for August 11 at Indira Park.

Chairman of the Telangana Government Pensioners’ Associations Coordination Committee, E. Lakshmaiah, said pensioners’ repeated appeals to ministers and officials have gone unheard. “Cabinet meetings are being held one after the other, yet not a word on pensioners,” he said at the Secretariat media point on Monday, joined by General Secretary P. Krishnamurthy and Chairperson R. Umadevi.

Over three lakh pensioners across the state are “disillusioned and anguished” by the government’s silence, Lakshmaiah said. The committee’s key demands include:

Immediate implementation of cashless treatment under the health scheme

Payment of pensionary benefits and GPFS dues to retired employees

Sanction of notional increments to special teachers appointed with a ₹398 salary

Disbursement of pensions via the treasury to all retired staff from various departments

Creation of a dedicated Directorate for Pensioners

Construction of a new Pensioners’ Bhavan for meetings and cultural events

Full pension after 20 years of service, in line with First PRC recommendations

Incentives for pensioners are similar to those given to employees in the Telangana movement

50% travel concession in RTC buses for senior pensioners

Immediate release of all DA and DR arrears as promised in the Congress manifesto

Restoration of the Old Pension Scheme by scrapping NPS

Leaders Tulasi Satyanarayana, Dr. Aruna, Bharat Reddy, Rajendra Babu, Dhanalakshmi, Pullayya, Peddi Ramesh, Mohan Narayana, Narasa Raju, and Devender were also present at the briefing.