Prayagraj: A meeting of the United Forum of Pensioner Welfare Association was held on Thursday at the residence of Yogendra Pandey at 201 Bhusauli Tola. During the meeting, pensioners discussed important pensioner-related issues in detail, demanding the removal of the validation clause of the Finance Bill 2025, the restoration of the old pension system, interim relief from January 1, 2026, before the Eighth Pay Commission report is released, the same rail fare discount for senior citizens, and the three-month freeze on dearness allowance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pensioners also raised slogans in support of their demands. “Our organization has been and will continue to strive for the rights of pensioners,” President Rajesh Yadav said. “Dearness allowance has now reached 60%. It should be merged with the basic pension and provided as dearness relief, so that pensioners can receive full benefits,” he said. Prakash Kumar, on the call of the All India Government Pensioners Federation, appealed for participation in the 24-hour protest on September 29th. Shashi Bhushan Pandey said that if the legitimate demands of the pensioners are not met, they will oppose the government at every level.

While conducting the meeting, Yogendra Pandey said that after the report of the 8th Pay Commission is released, the pensioners of those departments who have not received the benefits of the 7th Pay Commission should be given the same. Uday Shankar Srivastava stressed on pensioner unity. The meeting was presided over by Rajesh Yadav, conducted by Yogendra Pandey and vote of thanks was given by Ram Kishore.

Present in the meeting were Ramesh Kumar, Munna Ji, Dwarka Prasad, Uday Chandra Sonkar, Triveni Prasad, Abrar Ahmed, Ansar Ahmed, Raju, Vishwanath, R.S. Gupta, Virendra Kumar Pandey and all the central and state pensioners.