Pensioners hold protests across HP

Kullu: In support of their long-pending demands, government pensioners held protests throughout Himachal Pradesh on Friday. The protests were held in Kullu, Mandi, Kangra, Una, Hamirpur, Shimla, Bilaspur and Solan.
The main demands include release of pending Dearness Allowance, clearance of medical bills, payment of pension on the first date of every month, and formation of a joint consultative committee (JCC) to solve the issues of the pensioners.Shouting slogans, the pensioners said that if their demands were not accepted, they would escalate their agitation. “It’s unfortunate that the state govt is not even willing to talk to us despite our repeated efforts,” said one protester.