Pensioners demand relief keeping in view price-hike

Islamabad

The pensioners have called upon the federal government to give relief to the retirees of all government officials keeping in view the price-hike of essential commodities especially the medicines and high taxes and utility, medicine bills and doctor fee.

In the last budget only 7.5% increase was given whereas it should have been 15%. Pensioners stressed the government to increase pensions of low-grade officials at least 20%. "The increase is necessary because government failed to arrest the price hike. The fact that prices of petroleum products are lowest in the world and international prices of edible oil and sugar are very low but our factory owners and traders are squeezing the masses and by not passing down the benefit of low prices to the poor consumers," they said. Almost all industrialists and traders deriving maximum profit.

The officials in service get an annual increment every year and also get increase announced in budget as compared to retired. This is not justice the increase should be uniform for all. The pensioners also draw the attention of Ministry of Finance to make prompt arrangements in AGPR Islamabad and all other Account offices to settle the process of pensioners in the minimum time frame. AGPR Islamabad is giving more than two months period to retiree for the Receipt of pension through direct credit scheme in the bank account of retiree.

The retirees bewildered that when each case of pension has been computerised why so much delay. They request the Finance Ministry if there is shortage of manpower in pension section some staff from other section be posted there or some fresh appointment be made or some retired expert staff in pension section be appointed on contract basis. The problem can be solved within days.

They also requests the government to clear all the cases of restoration of commuted portion of pension with all increase on the pension drawn. A large number of retirees who are above 75 years have already passed away without enjoying the relief of pension. This relief is a great blessing for the low scale pensioners but wealthy rulers and parliamentarians cannot feel the miseries of the poor.