ARPNAK Pensioner’s Association Demands Higher Pension

GUWAHATI: The Assam Rajyik Paribahan Nigam Abosor Prapta Karmachari Parishad (ARPNAK) complains on the negligence of the government as well as the corporation towards the retired workers of Assam State Transport Corporation.

In a press meet held at Guwahati Press Club on July 11, president of ARPNAK Nilamani Phukan, Vice-President of ARPNAK Karim Ahmed, General Secretary of ARPNAK Khargeswar Das, Asst Secretary of ARPNAK Anjan Baruah, and President of All Assam Public Sector Undertaking Pensioners Association Nirendra Kumar Seal, addressed the press on the poor conditions that the retired workers are going through.

“As per report, since 2014 more than 600 retired workers are deprived of their rights. The retired workers are not getting the provident fund and other allowances. For which there are examples of many suicidal case. From 4th grade employees to Chief Engineers each and everyone are deprived of their rights. They have even gone to court and the High Court has already passed an order to provide 50/60 thousand rupees per month. Yet the corporation is continuously ignoring their conditions, for which ARPNAK is now taking the step of Contempt of Court.”

The President of All Assam Public Sector Undertaking Pensioners Association Nirendra Kumar seal said “Fighting only for the pension will not solve the problem, as even if they get their pensions on time the amount is of no use. There are instances of even providing 450 Rs per month as pension. He claimed 10 to 12 percent retired workers are dying with the hope of getting their allowances and without getting it. He said, “These issues are arising because of political interference, individual interest and corruption etc.” They told the media that the issues have already been addressed to the Chief Minister, Finance Minister, Labour Commissioner, Transport Minister, Human Rights Commission, and Chief Secretary and so on. But the government officials have shown no interest. They said if not taken necessary actions in time towards their demand of Higher Wage Pension, medical facilities and health Check up from the EPF organization etc, they will be left with no other options but to protest and taking help from the law against the corporation.

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