Amritsar, May 6 (K.L. Jit Walia):The “Old Pay Scales, Old Pension and Allowances Restoration Front” organized a massive mobilization convention at Virsa Vihar, Amritsar, under the leadership of DTF State Finance Secretary-cum-District President Ashwani Awasthi regarding their long-pending financial demands. After the convention, a protest march was also carried out.
The key demands raised included restoration of Punjab pay scales for employees recruited on or after July 17, 2020, restoration of the old pension scheme based on the 1972 system for employees recruited on or after January 1, 2004, and rational revision of 37 types of allowances.
Addressing the gathering, Majha Zone Convener of the Old Pension Restoration Front Punjab Gurbinder Singh Khaira, Parminder Singh Mahal from the Punjab State Veterinary Inspector Association, Malkiat Singh from the 6635 Teachers Union, Manpreet Singh from the 569 Lecturers Union, District Convener Sukhjinder Singh, and Kanwaljit Kaur stated that the struggle is aimed at cancelling the July 17, 2020 notification based on new central pay scales and implementing salaries according to the 15% increase recommended by the Sixth Punjab Pay Commission.
The speakers also demanded scrapping the corporate-oriented New Pension Scheme (NPS) imposed on employees recruited after January 1, 2004, and restoring the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). They further demanded restoration of 37 discontinued allowances, including rural area allowance, border area allowance, ACP scheme benefits, and pending 18% dearness allowance.
They announced that a state-level rally would be held in Mohali on May 17, 2026, followed by a protest march towards the Chief Minister’s residence in Chandigarh. A major awareness and mobilization campaign will also be launched across the district in the coming days.
Addressing the convention further, Democratic Employees Federation State President Germanjit Singh Chhajjalwadi and State General Secretary Hardeep Singh Todarpur blamed global economic policies for the Punjab government’s failure to fulfill employees’ demands. They emphasized the importance of united and collective struggles based on solidarity and encouraged future movements to be carried out on the same principles.
Several other leaders and office bearers, including former DTF Amritsar President Sukhraj Singh Sarkaria, former General Secretary Lakhwinder Singh Gill, District Finance Secretary Harjaap Singh Ball, State Committee Member Gurdev Singh, District Press Secretary Rajesh Kumar Parashar, and many others were also present at the event.
KL JIT WALIA
