Srinagar, Jun 2 (KNS): A delegation of the J&K Employees, Pensioners and Senior Citizens United Front (JKEPSCUF) on Monday submitted a memorandum to the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) at the SKICC here, demanding a minimum pension of ?15,000 per month and medical allowance parity with neighbouring Ladakh.
The delegation, led by Front chairman Rafiq Ahmad Khanyari, placed before the panel a five-point charter of demands, stressing that the region’s unique socio-economic conditions — including harsh winters and limited employment opportunities since the 1990s — have made households heavily dependent on pensioner incomes for survival.
“The minimum pension must be raised from ?9,000 to ?15,000 monthly to offset rising living costs and heavy winter expenditure,” the memorandum said.
The Front also demanded that the monthly medical allowance be increased from ?
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel300 to ?3,000, citing disparity with Ladakh where pensioners receive ?1,000. It further sought mandatory annual health check-ups for those aged 60 and above.
Other demands included regular inflation-linked relief to protect purchasing power, enhancement of family pension to 60 per cent of the last pay drawn, and lifelong full coverage for disabled dependents.
The delegation also called for uniform parity in pension benefits, asserting that discrimination based on retirement dates should be eliminated in strict adherence to Supreme Court rulings.
Mr Khanyari expressed confidence that the 8th CPC would accord top priority to the demands to safeguard the dignity of senior citizens in Jammu and Kashmir. (KNS)