Warn of intensifying their stir if govt fails to act
Sunil Chadha
Shimla:
Thousands of retired Himachal Pradesh government employees from various departments took to the streets across the state on Tuesday (October 14, 2025) demanding immediate redressal of their long-pending financial and welfare issues.
The massive state-wide protest is being spearheaded by the Himachal Pradesh Pensioners Joint Front. The protesting pensioners and their families will gather at all district headquarters in a show of strength.
A union leader expressed deep resentment over the state government’s continued failure to resolve their core demands, five of which have now become rallying points for the movement.
Five main demands of pensioners
- Release of arrears for age-related allowances (at ages 65, 70 and 75) pending since 2014.
- Payment of dearness allowance (DA) arrears that have been held back since 2015.
- Regular and timely pension disbursement on the 1st of every month, with a permanent mechanism in place.
- Immediate settlement of pending medical reimbursement bills.
- Arrears of revised pay scales and retirement benefits (gratuity and leave encashment) as per the January 1, 2016, implementation.
Express resentment over hollow promises
Suresh Thakur, a pensioner, said that despite repeated assurances from both the state government and the HRTC management, no concrete action had been taken. “Since December 2023, we’ve submitted multiple memorandums, held rallies during Assembly sessions in Shimla and Dharamshala, and met the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister personally. Yet, we’ve received nothing but hollow promises,” he said.
The union leaders pointed out that delay in disbursal of pensions had been causing financial distress to thousands of elderly retirees. “We’ve been patient, but the consistent delay in pensions and denial of rightful benefits has pushed us to the edge. Today’s protest is not just symbolic but a decisive step in our struggle,” the leaders said.
The police pensioners’ association, retired educationists, and other departmental associations have also extended support to the campaign.
According to leaders, the October 14 protest marks only the beginning of a wider mobilisation. “If our demands are not met in the coming days, we will chalk out the next phase of the movement, which could include indefinite sit-ins, court interventions and possibly boycotting all government outreach events,” warned the joint front.
With over 4 lakh pensioners in the state and nearly 16 lakh people indirectly affected when family members are included, this protest is shaping up to be one of the largest and most determined actions by senior citizens in the state’s recent history. The Himachal Pradesh government is yet to issue an official response.
