Dharamshala: A massive gathering of state employees and pensioners, led by Ghanshyam Sharma, National Senior Vice President of the Indian State Pensioners Federation, staged a protest at the Dharamshala Police Ground today, voicing sharp criticism of the Sukhu government’s policies. Representatives of various employee and pensioner organizations participated in the demonstration, accusing the government of failing to fulfill promises, pushing the state into financial disorder, and taking decisions detrimental to employees.
Addressing the rally, Ghanshyam Sharma said the government had sought the support of employees and pensioners by assuring timely disbursal of OPS benefits, salaries, pensions, DA, and medical reimbursements. “However, even after three years in power, most of these assurances remain unfulfilled. Instead of improving, the situation is deteriorating,” he alleged.
He further claimed that despite the state’s rising debt burden, instalments of DA, arrears, and health-related schemes like Himcare were being cut or delayed, creating serious difficulties for retired employees seeking medical treatment.
Speakers at the rally expressed anger over the government’s alleged neglect of employee-related issues during the ongoing winter session of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly. They also criticised the decision to shift the protest venue from Zorawar Stadium to the Police Ground, calling it a sign of the government’s “panic” and “anti-employee attitude.”
Pensioner leaders warned that if the government did not take immediate decisions regarding pending DA, salaries, pension payments, medical bill clearance, reinstatement of Himcare benefits, and OPS commitments, the agitation would be intensified, with state-wide programmes to be announced soon. “This struggle is not against any particular political party. It is a fight for rights, dignity, and a secure future for employees and pensioners. We will not step back until justice is delivered,” said Ghanshyam Sharma, urging all organizations to maintain unity and continue the movement in a peaceful and disciplined manner.
Pensioners’ Agitation Peaks
Ravinder Singh Rana, District Kangra Convener of the HP Pensioners Joint Action Committee, said today’s demonstration marked a “historic protest” against the state government’s indifferent approach. He added that pensioners from all state government departments, boards, and corporations submitted a representation in Dharamshala, demanding speedy resolution of their long-pending issues and immediate release of dues in the interest of pensioners, family pensioners, and their dependents.
Heated exchanges between ruling Congress and opposition BJP on the 3rd Day of Himachal Assembly Winter Session
Meanwhie, tension flared in Tapovan, Dharamshala, ahead of the third day of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly’s winter session as MLAs of both the ruling Congress and the opposition BJP held parallel protests at the main gate of the Assembly complex. Members of both parties raised slogans against each other, creating a charged atmosphere even before the House convened.
The Congress Legislature Party staged a protest demanding the release of the ?1,500-crore special package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the state on September 9. Congress MLAs alleged that despite Himachal Pradesh battling severe disaster-related losses, the Centre has not released the promised amount even after more than two months. They accused the Union government of adopting a “step-motherly” attitude toward the state.
Tthe BJP Legislative Party organised a protest accusing the Sukhu-led Congress government of being “anti-employee.” BJP MLAs held placards and alleged that the state government had failed to clear medical reimbursement bills, arrears, leave encashment, gratuity, DA, and pension payments. Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur criticised the government, saying that despite taking “record debt,” it had failed to provide financial benefits to employees and pensioners. He asserted that the state would eventually receive the package announced by the Prime Minister.
The confrontation between the two parties outside the Assembly echoed inside the House. Sloganeering by the opposition before Question Hour forced the Speaker to adjourn proceedings for ten minutes.
The issue of the pending ?1,500-crore special package is expected to dominate discussions inside the Assembly as well. Congress MLAs Kuldeep Rathore and Kewal Singh Pathania have submitted questions on the delay in the release of funds, while BJP MLAs J.R. Katwal and Deepraj have sought details on the utilisation of disaster management funds received from the Centre over the past three years.
Arvind Sharma is an award winning bi-lingual journalist with more than 20 years of experience.
He has worked with Divya Himachal, Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhasker, Vir Partap, Ajit and PTI.
In 2010, he was conferred the Himachal Kesri journalism award. He reports on the Tibetan Government in Exile, politics, sports, tourism and other topics. He lives in Dharamshala.
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