Pensioners protest against govt apathy

CHANDIGARH, March 30: As many as 51 members of the Punjab State Pensioners8217; Confederation observed a 24-hour fast under the Bridge Market in Sector 17 today. The representatives protested the laxity on the part of state government towards their demands which include the merger of 97 per cent of dearness allowance as on July 1, 1993, with the basic pension, extension of travel concession benefit to family pensioners, grant of fixed medical allowance of Rs 500 per month, rebate of 50 per cent in bus fare in the state transport, and grant of old age pension.

While addressing the gathering, B. R. Kaushal, the president and Ajit Singh Bagri, the general secretary of the confederation accused the Punjab Finance minister, Capt Kanwaljit Singh of presenting an anti-employee and anti-pensioner budget this year.