Patiala (Manpreet Singh):- The monthly meeting of P.R.T.C. pensioners was held today at the Old Bus Stand in Patiala under the leadership of Mukand Singh, Chairman of the P.R.T.C. Pensioners Association, and Bhagwant Singh Kanganwal, State President. A large number of pensioners representing different depots participated in the meeting. Various speakers demanded that pensions be credited before the 10th of every month and that all pending arrears, including the 2016 Pay Commission arrears, medical bill arrears and arrears due to newly retired employees, be paid immediately. The meeting began with tributes to pensioners and their relatives who had passed away.
Addressing the large gathering, State President Bhagwant Singh Kanganwal referred to the meeting held recently with the Managing Director of P.R.T.C. regarding their demands. He said that the MD had accepted their request and immediately issued orders regarding Dearness Allowance (DA), directing that pensions be recalculated by adding 8% DA. He said the MD had assured them that payment of their arrears would begin within a short period. The MD had also assured them that meetings with the association would be held every month so that emerging problems could be resolved appropriately. Kanganwal urged all pensioners to maintain unity.
General Secretary Har Singh ‘Chamak’, while addressing the gathering, called upon members to strengthen the Central Body. He said that no action should be taken that could weaken the Central Body. If the Central Body remained strong, all demands could be secured more easily. Along with payment of pending arrears, he also demanded the regularisation of employees working in the organisation on a contractual basis and through outsourcing.
Addressing the gathering in an impactful manner, Chairman Mukand Singh, in his vote of thanks, cited religious examples and emphasised the importance of maintaining unity. He said that some mischievous elements were trying to create divisions within the association at the behest of opposing forces, but they would not be allowed to succeed under any circumstances. He demanded that the October pension be credited before Diwali so that pensioners could celebrate the festival happily. Warning the Punjab Government and the management, he demanded immediate payment of all pending arrears, saying that pensioners should not be forced to take drastic steps in their old age.
On the occasion, the murder of Parminder Singh Jhotte in Mansa was condemned and tributes were paid to him. A demand was also raised to curb the drug menace in Punjab.
Besides the above, the meeting was addressed by Jalour Singh of Faridkot, Raghbir Singh of Budhlada, Gopal Krishan Maur of Bathinda, Kulwinder Singh of Barnala, Upkar Singh of Sangrur, Harbhajan Singh of Chandigarh, Joginder Singh of Patiala and Central Body Vice-Chairman Bachittar Singh of Ludhiana. Various speakers praised the functioning of the Central Body and assured it of their full cooperation.
To make the meeting successful, Bakshish Singh, Office Secretary; Suraj Bhan, General Secretary of Patiala Depot; Santosh Krishan Chappar; Amolak Singh, Treasurer of the Central Body; Balwant Singh, Treasurer of Patiala Depot; Lalkar Singh Tiwana; Davinder Singh Tiwana; Balraj Singh Tiwana; Balbir Singh Buttar; Gurdeep Singh; Ghola Singh Dandoa; Malkit Singh; Rameshwar Dayal; Manjit Singh; Balbir Singh Glounder; and Nirpal Singh also made significant contributions. General Secretary Har Singh ‘Chamak’ performed the stage duties efficiently.
