The Jammu and Kashmir Civil Society Forum (JKCSF) and Jammu Kashmir Pensioners United Front (JKPUF), led by Chairman Abdul Qayoom Wani, have condemned the persistent delays in releasing pensioners’ leave salaries, gratuity, and other dues.
They warned that failure to clear these payments by March’s end will force pensioners to redo formalities, adding unnecessary hardship to those who served the public for decades.
Expressing frustration, the groups criticized elected MLAs and public representatives for failing to advocate for pensioners despite receiving a memorandum. “It’s unfortunate that lakhs of pensioners and senior citizens are ignored in the assembly,” Wani said, pointing to the unimplemented Senior Citizens Act of 2017 as evidence of governmental apathy. He accused political leaders of prioritizing party agendas over public welfare.
JKCSF and JKPUF have appealed to the Hon’ble Chief Minister for urgent intervention to release pensioners’ dues and prevent further humiliation of senior citizens. They also demanded timely salary payments for permanent, temporary, and public sector employees ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, alongside the clearance of contractors’ pending bills, noting the severe financial strain faced by these groups due to delays.
The organizations threatened escalated protests post-Eid, vowing to mobilize lakhs of pensioners and senior citizens if their demands remain unmet, signaling growing discontent over the government’s handling of these critical issues.
