Demand for restoration of Old Pension Scheme
The Hindu
DINDIGUL
Members of Tamil Nadu Rural Development Pensioners Association staged a demonstration on the Collectorate premises here on Tuesday pressing for a charter of demands.
Led by its district president V. Manickam, the protesters raised slogans demanding the State to provide pension to the employees who joined service after April 4, 2003 by bringing back the Old Pension Scheme as per DMK’s election manifesto.
They also wanted the State to immediately sanction health insurance for the retired employees of the Rural Development Department. “Officials must abide by the guidelines laid by the State in settling charges made on employees which gets prolonged even after they retire. This strips the employees of the right to enjoy the retirement benefits such as pension and gratuity,” said Mr. Manickam.
They demanded the State to conduct grievance redress meetings for pensioners once in three months under the chairmanship of the Rural Development Department’s Secretary and Commissioner. And to conduct similar meetings headed by the Collector once in two months to solve the long-pending issues and demands.
Further, they wanted the State to refrain from the practice of placing employees under suspension on their last day of service. In accordance with equal pay for equal work, they wanted the State to give equal pay for both junior and assistant engineers.
Association secretary S. Subramaniam, treasurer M. Veeramani and others were present.
Members of the Association in Ramanathapuram also staged a protest. It was led by its district president, R. Gurunathan.
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