Don’t test patience of retired employees: Qayoom Wani tells govt

Srinagar, Jun 14: Chairman Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh Pensioners United Front (PUF) Abdul Qayoom Wani on Saturday asked the government not to test the patience of the retired employees saying that the employees have only taken retirement from services and have the power to fight for their legitimate rights.

Addressing media persons in Srinagar, Qayoom Wani opposed the of India’s (GoI) move to reportedly exclude crores of pensioners across India from the benefit of 8th pay commission.

“It has come to the public domain from different media houses and reliable sources that the GoI is mulling to exclude the crores of retired employees from benefit of 8th Pay Commission,” he said. He said the employees have attained superannuation from their government services but have taught people how to struggle.

“We have not retired from the struggle. We are active and alert when it comes to our issues and rights. We are ready to make any sacrifice for our cause by adopting all democratic and peaceful means,” Qayoom Wani said. He said that passing of the finance bill in the current parliament was a serious concern for all the pensioners across the country.

“In this regard, we announce our support for the nationwide call given by All India State Pensioners Federation on June 23 of 2025 in which the pensioners throughout India will submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India through the concerned Deputy Commissioners from across the country,” he said.

Briefing about other concerns, Qayoom Wani said the equity in pension in respect of the past pensioners and new pensioners was maintained on the basis of a Supreme Court judgement passed in 1982. “The 7th Pay Commission also maintained the equity amongst the pensioners, retired before January 1 of 2016 and those who attained superannuation on or after January 1 of 2016 till date.