Retired government employees and pensioners in Tripura staged a two-hour protest in Agartala today, seeking pension revision under the Eighth Pay Commission, withdrawal of the Validation Act and other financial and service-related benefits, while also observing Martyrs’ Day to remember employees who died during the 1968 nationwide token strike.
Quick Glance
- The Forum of Civil Pensioners’ Associations, Tripura State, held a two-hour dharna in Agartala with an 11-point charter of demands.
- The organisation wants pension revision included in the Eighth Pay Commission’s terms of reference and seeks withdrawal of the Validation Act.
- The forum has announced a Parliament march in Delhi on November 25, with more than 5,000 pensioners expected to participate.
The Forum of Civil Pensioners’ Associations, Tripura State unit, held a dharna near the Mahatma Gandhi statue beside the Circuit House in Agartala today on September 19. The protest focused on long-pending demands of retired government employees and pensioners.
The programme continued from 11 am to 1 pm. Members raised slogans in support of their demands.
The organisation said the protest formed part of an all-India programme against what it described as the Central government’s negative approach towards employees and pensioners.
Bhupal Sinha, convenor of the organisation, said the Agartala programme marked the second phase and second round of the ongoing movement.
He said pensioners had pursued the issues through several programmes over the past one-and-a-half years. These included demonstrations, human chains, seminars and conventions.
11-Point Charter of Demands
The organisation has placed an 11-point charter before the Central government.
Pension revision under the Eighth Pay Commission remains one of its main demands. Sinha said earlier Pay Commissions included provisions for revising pensioners’ pensions. He said the current terms of reference of the Eighth Pay Commission do not include the issue.
The organisation has therefore demanded an amendment to the terms of reference to include pension revision.
It has also sought the withdrawal of the Validation Act introduced on March 25, 2025. Sinha alleged that the legislation created divisions among pensioners and affected their constitutional rights.
The organisation has further demanded parity among pensioners from different sections. It wants Pay Commissions to be introduced at regular intervals. It has also sought interim financial benefits during the revision process.
Another demand relates to Dearness Relief. The organisation wants DR to be merged with basic pay and basic pension once it reaches 50 per cent.
Demands Include Bank and LIC Pension Revision
The forum has also raised concerns involving employees and pensioners of banks, the Life Insurance Corporation of India and other autonomous bodies.
Sinha said salary and pension revisions for these groups had remained pending for several years. He demanded immediate action to address the issue.
The organisation said disparities in pensions and other financial benefits have created difficulties for many retired employees.
It has urged the government to resolve the issues through discussions and take effective measures.
Memorandum Sent to Prime Minister
Sinha said the organisation submitted a memorandum containing its 11 demands to the Central government and Prime Minister on August 19.
However, he said the forum had not received a satisfactory response so far.
“Our movement is continuing,” Sinha said.
He added that the organisation would continue to pursue its demands through further programmes.
The forum has scheduled a Parliament march in Delhi on November 25. Sinha said more than 5,000 pensioners would participate in the programme.
Martyrs’ Day Observed Alongside Protest
The organisation also observed Martyrs’ Day on Saturday. The occasion commemorated employees who died during a one-day token strike on September 19, 1968.
Sinha said lakhs of government employees participated in the nationwide strike. He said 17 employees died during the repression that followed the movement under the then Indira Gandhi government.
The organisation observed Martyrs’ Day to remember the employees and honour their sacrifice.
Participants paid floral tributes to the martyrs. They also observed two minutes of silence in their memory.
Sinha said September 19 holds significance because it marks the anniversary of the 1968 employee strike. The organisation therefore observed Martyrs’ Day alongside its current protest.
Appeal for Nepal Flood Relief
The programme also featured an appeal for assistance to people affected by floods in Nepal.
Sinha urged those attending the programme to extend support for relief efforts in the neighbouring country.
He reiterated the forum’s key demands, including pension revision under the Eighth Pay Commission, withdrawal of the Validation Act and revision of salaries and pensions for employees and pensioners of banks, LIC and other bodies where such revisions have remained pending.
The organisation called on the Central government to accept and implement its 11-point charter.
Sinha said the movement would continue in the absence of a satisfactory response. He added that the organisation may broaden the agitation if the government does not address its demands.
