Pensioners in Agartala stage mass dharna demanding withdrawal of Validation Act, pension review rights in Eighth Pay Commission, and resolution of LIC and BSNL pension anomalies, warning of intensified protests if Central Government fails to respond.
Hundreds of retired employees gathered near Akashbani Bhavan in Agartala on Friday to stage a two-hour mass dharna, pressing for immediate action on a series of pension-related demands. The protest was jointly organised by the National Coordination Committee of Pensioners Associations (NCCPA) and the Forum of Civil Pensioners Association, Tripura Chapter.
The demonstrators raised strong objections to the Validation Act mentioned in Part IV of the Finance Act passed on March 25, 2025. According to protest leaders, the Act has become a mechanism for creating division among pensioners across different categories. They demanded its immediate withdrawal, arguing that it undermines the principle of uniform pension rights.
A key concern voiced during the dharna was the reported omission of pension review provisions in the newly constituted Eighth Pay Commission. Pensioners claimed that earlier pay commissions had allowed structured reviews and representations from retirees, a provision they say has now been dropped. They demanded the reinstatement of this clause to ensure fairness and transparency in pension revisions.
The protesters also highlighted long-pending pension anomalies affecting employees of the Life Insurance Corporation and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, along with other affiliated organisations. They urged authorities to address these discrepancies without further delay.
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Additionally, the pensioners called for recruitment to vacant government posts and the regularisation of contractual employees, stating that systemic reforms are essential to protect future retirees.
Leaders warned that if their demands are ignored, a series of intensified protest programmes will follow in the coming days.
