Srinagar: A delegation of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Secretariat Retired Employees Welfare Forum Tuesday held a significant and constructive interaction with the Chairman and senior officials of the 8th Central Pay Commission during the Commission’s visit to Srinagar.
The delegation was led by Nazir Ahmad Mir, President of the Forum, Chand Ji Bhat and Mushtaq Hussain Khan.
The delegation submitted a comprehensive memorandum highlighting the concerns, aspirations, and welfare requirements of retired Civil Secretariat employees and pensioners across Jammu and Kashmir.
During the interaction, the Forum emphasized the growing challenges faced by pensioners owing to rising inflation, increasing healthcare expenses, and the need for a more equitable and socially secure pension framework. The delegation urged the Commission to recommend measures that would ensure financial stability, dignity, and improved quality of life for retirees and family pensioners.
The Commission accorded a patient and attentive hearing to the delegation and carefully considered the issues and suggestions presented. Members of the Commission sought detailed inputs and clarifications on several aspects of pension revision and welfare measures affecting retired employees.
Among the major issues projected by the Forum were:
Adoption of a realistic fitment factor for meaningful enhancement of pensions and family pensions.
Grant of adequate relief against inflation and rising cost of living.
Strengthening of healthcare facilities and enhancement of medical benefits for pensioners.
Increase in Fixed Medical Allowance for pensioners residing outside CGHS-covered areas.
Expansion and strengthening of social security measures for senior citizens and family pensioners.
Rationalization of pension-related provisions to ensure equity among retirees.
Special consideration for pensioners residing in Jammu and Kashmir in view of the region’s unique geographical and socio-economic circumstances.
“The Commission gave us a patient hearing and carefully considered the concerns raised by our Forum. We are encouraged by the positive response and hopeful that the genuine issues of retired employees and pensioners will receive due attention while finalizing the recommendations of the 8th Central Pay Commission,” Mir said.
Mir further observed that retired employees have devoted the most productive years of their lives to public service and deserve a pension system that adequately safeguards their dignity, financial security, and healthcare needs in old age.
The Forum expressed its sincere gratitude to the Chairman and Members of the 8th Central Pay Commission for providing an opportunity to present the concerns and expectations of retired Civil Secretariat employees of Jammu and Kashmir.
