Urgent Plea: Pensioners Rally for Vital Medical Allowance and Travel Concessions as Government Neglects Their Needs | Guwahati News
In Guwahati, the coordination committee of central government pensioners’ association highlighted significant challenges faced by pensioners, particularly regarding medical treatment allowances and travel concessions. On Monday, the committee expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s inaction despite being informed about these issues. To amplify their demands, members from across India will convene at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar for a protest on November 13.
Sajer Rahman, the committee’s general secretary, criticized the government’s focus on merging the Central Government Health Card (CGHC) with the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), arguing it limits benefits to only a few pensioners. He pointed out that even though substantial funds are allocated to these health schemes, few pensioners reap benefits, often having to pay for treatments themselves due to delays in claim approvals. Rahman also emphasized the lack of wellness centers and urged the government to ensure every district has facilities with adequate services.
Further, the pensioners demand the proper implementation of the Supreme Court’s order to increase the fixed medical allowance from Rs 1000 to Rs 3000, noting that most pensioners have yet to benefit from this change. They also called for the reinstatement of travel concessions and the abolition of the new pension scheme.
The broader conversation on pension schemes includes issues faced by over 60,000 government employees in Ahmedabad, primarily teachers, who are frustrated by delays in reinstating the old pension scheme promised on October 5. In a similar vein, pensioners from Madurai Kamaraj University recently protested delays in pension disbursements, which exacerbated financial hardships during festive periods like Diwali.
These issues underscore a growing impatience among pensioners nationwide, demanding timely and effective solutions to safeguard their financial and health-related needs.
Original Story https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/pensioners-demand-medical-allowance-and-travel-concessions-amid-government-neglect/articleshow/114960019.cms
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Publish Date: 2024-11-05 04:30:00
