Patiala: The Punjab Pensioner Doctors Association (PDAP) has decided to intensify its peaceful and democratic struggle in protest against the failure to resolve the long-pending financial demands of retired government doctors.
In a joint statement, Association President Dr. D.C. Sharma, Senior Vice Presidents Dr. D.S. Bhullar and Dr. R.S. Sethi, and General Secretary Dr. Surinder Singla stated that thousands of retired government doctors had dedicated the most precious years of their lives to the selfless service of the public in Punjab's government hospitals, medical colleges, and health institutions. Today, these doctors—now senior citizens—are still awaiting the pension benefits rightfully due to them, even in the twilight of their lives.
The leaders recalled that when the current government assumed power, government employees and pensioners had welcomed it with great hope and floral garlands. They had expected a speedy resolution to demands that had been pending for years. However, despite repeated submission of memoranda and assurances, critical issues remain unresolved: the arrears of the 6th Punjab Pay Commission, outstanding Dearness Relief (DR), the restoration of pensions withheld without cause, the rectification of pension-related anomalies, and the implementation of Punjab and Haryana High Court directives.
The Association's state leadership has appealed to all pensioner doctors across Punjab to write personal, heartfelt letters to the Chief Minister, urging his intervention so that these legitimate and long-pending demands can be resolved sympathetically and within a definite timeframe.
The Association has unanimously decided to observe National Doctors' Day on July 1st as a "Black Day." On this occasion, retired doctors from across Punjab will express their resentment in a peaceful and dignified manner by wearing black armbands, protesting the undue delay in resolving their legitimate financial demands.
The association hopes that the Honorable Chief Minister will take immediate, humane, and concrete steps to ensure long-awaited justice for retired government doctors, acknowledging their contributions to Punjab's healthcare services.