JALANDHAR, June 9: More than three million Central government pensioners and family pensioners have launched a campaign to lobby support of MPs across the political board to get relief as per recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission.All India Central Government Pensioners Association general secretary V. S. Jolly today said the previous Gujral government had accepted only two recommendations, partially accepted three recommendations, but rejected six recommendations of the pay panel to the dismay of about 32 lakh pensioners.Jolly said the Fifth Pay Panel recommendations for establishment of pension fund, parity in pension for all the pre-1973 and pre-1986 retirees, exemption of pension amount from income and other taxes, restoration of commutation after 12 years instead of 15 years, have not been accepted by the government.He said the pensioners quest for justice has forced them to mobilise support of the MPs and their response has been encouraging.Although the PMO has agreed to meet their deputation at Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's ``janata darbar'', they have requested for a separate meeting with the PM in the presence of the Finance Minister and other officials of the ministry so that they could express their grievances for quick redressal.He said the pay panel had also recommended economic and social security to all pensioners through a new pension-cum-social security Act in place of the 1871 Act on old age pension. Jolly demanded that this demand should also be accepted.
