JAMMU, Aug 20: The All J&K RTC Volunteer Retired Employees Association, Jammu and Kashmir UT, held a demonstration and sit-in dharna near the Press Club Exhibition Ground in Jammu on Thursday, demanding the release of their long-pending financial dues.
The protest was organised under the leadership of Association President Dev Raj Bali, who criticised the functioning of the RTC management and alleged that the concerns of retired employees were being ignored despite repeated representations.
Addressing the gathering, Bali alleged that the management had failed to provide satisfactory redressal of the grievances of retired employees and had not taken their pending demands seriously. He said the employees had approached the authorities on several occasions but had not received a concrete resolution.
The Association said that S. Amrik Singh Sasan, former Chairman of Retired Employees of RTC, had earlier taken up the issue with the Transport Minister and apprised him of the problems being faced by the retired employees. According to the Association, the Transport Minister subsequently directed the Managing Director of RTC to place the matter before the Board of Directors for consideration.
The protesting employees alleged that despite the direction, the matter had not been resolved. They appealed to the Central Government to intervene and issue appropriate directions to the J&K Government for resolving their long-pending financial claims.
The protesters highlighted three major demands, including Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) arrears from 1999 to 2005, 6th Pay Commission arrears from January 1, 2006 to April 2012, and pending Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears.
The Association said retired employees had already waited for several years for settlement of their legitimate dues and urged the authorities to take immediate steps to resolve the matter.
The demonstration was attended by Chief Organiser Sat Bhushan Singh, Vice President Balwinder Singh, General Secretary Surinder Singh, P.P. Singh, Romesh Singh Bau and several other members of the Association.
The protesters appealed to the concerned authorities to initiate dialogue with the retired employees and ensure early settlement of their pending claims.