Amritsar: The monthly meeting of the Punjab State Pensioners and Senior Citizens Welfare Association (District Amritsar) was held at Company Bagh under the अध्यक्षता of President Madan Gopal, with a large number of pensioners participating.
General Secretary Madan Lal Mannan presented the agenda and conducted the proceedings, while Yashdev Dogra shared the financial report and his views.
Addressing the media, Sukhdev Raj Kalia criticized the Punjab government, alleging that the 2026–27 budget has ignored pensioners and employees. He claimed that the government considers pensioners a financial burden and has failed to address their concerns.
The association also raised objections over the pension calculation formula, stating that a factor of 2.4495 has been applied instead of 2.59 for certain pensioners, while those retiring after January 1, 2016, have been given the higher benefit.
Leaders termed the budget as directionless and focused only on populist schemes aimed at gaining votes. They further alleged that the government has failed to fulfill its promises over the past four years and has instead taken harsh measures against protesting employees and pensioners.
The association expressed gratitude to the Punjab and Haryana High Court for safeguarding the rights of employees and pensioners and directing the government accordingly. However, they also warned that the government may challenge the decision before a division bench.
Speakers at the meeting urged pensioners and employees to remain vigilant and united in their struggle, alleging that various sections including farmers, workers, employees, and small traders are dissatisfied with the current government policies.
Several members, including Baldev Singh Sandhu, Kartar Singh, Ramesh Bhanot, Brahmdev, Gulshan Kumar Chawla, Baba Balwinder Singh, and others, actively participated and shared their concerns during the meeting.
