Jammu, Jan 06: Apni Party on Friday organised a protest demonstration demanding restoration of the Old Age Pension Scheme in the interest of over 4.5 lakhs Govt officers/employees in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Trade Union wing of Apni Party led by its president Ajaz Kazmi organised a protest demonstration outside Press Club of Jammu to support the Govt Officers and Employees seeking the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme which was scrapped by the Govt in 2010.
Addressing the protesters, the Apni Party leaders said that over 4.5 lakhs Govt Officers / Employees were deprived of their constitutional right to enjoy Old Age Pension Scheme and a New Pension Scheme was launched which has no welfare scheme for the Officers/Employees who give their entire life to the Govt and to the people of J&K.
“The officers and employees always spend their lives on toes while working in a remote and far-flung area with frequent transfers from one place to another which disturbs their family life and the education of their children,” they said, adding in this process, they were provided with the Old Age Pension Scheme but that scheme was removed and a New Pension Scheme was introduced which is strongly opposed by the Officers/Employees.
The Officers and employees cannot come out openly to oppose the New Pension Scheme due to the strict attitude of the Govt towards them. They are working in a suffocated atmosphere under LG rule,” said Ajaz Kazmi, J&K Apni Trade Union President.
He said that “The Officers/Employees should be provided a friendly working environment as well as safety by re-restoring the Old Pension Scheme.”
He further also demanded regularization, release of pending wages and enhancement of daily wages of 61, 000 daily wagers, Rehber-e-Khel, Anganwari Workers, J&K Home Guards and contractual lecturers.
Meanwhile, other Party leaders also spoke on the occasion shouting slogans in favour of the Govt Officers/Employees. The leaders said that the suffering of the general masses and Govt Officers/employees can be ended by replacing present Govt.
Therefore, assembly elections are a must and the restoration of statehood to J&K is equally important for the people of J&K as they have developed a feeling of alienation, they said.
They warned that if the demands of the Govt Officers/Employees are not addressed, Apni Party will intensify their protest demonstration at the district level across J&K.
