Pressing for fulfilment of a 15-point charter of demands, several retired employees under the banner of the Odisha State Retired Employees’ Federation (OSREF) staged a demonstration in front of the State Secretariat here on Friday.
Irate members of the federation alleged that though the demands have been placed before the State Government since last nine years, the latter has not evinced any interest to resolve issues and concerns of three lakhs pension holders in the State.“Several efforts have been made by the federation to initiate discussions between the Chief Minister and pensioners or seniors citizens in the State, but in vein,” rued OSREF Chairman Pratap Chandra Das.
The demands include provision of medical allowance and other medical facilities to retired employees in the State, concession of 50 per cent on bus fare, reduced interest on bank loans, implementation of the provision of additional pension from the age of 65 years in stead of 80 years, inclusion of DA in salary for estimation of gratuity, etc.
The retired employees have threatened that they along their family members would be forced to stage mass agitation under the leadership of the Federation in coming days, if their demands are not met at the earliest, added the OSREF Chairman.