Jammu: The Pensioners and Senior Citizen Forum of Jammu and Kashmir have demanded medical allowance similar to that attributed to the Central Government employees.
The forum along with several other demands of pensioners also urged the government to immediately look into the matter and take necessary steps in order to fulfill their demands at the earliest.
The forum held a meeting on 7th November and discussed various demands of the pensioners of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh UTs.
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The General Secretary of the forum Sheikh Mohi-ud-Din Shilwati was the chairman of the meeting and it was also attended by Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Malla tehsil president, Mohammed Ramzan organizer. Chairman of the Forum Mir Ghulam Rasool Butwani also addressed the meeting.
Daily Excelsior reports that the pensioners have demanded that rupees 1,000 medical allowances that are paid to the Central Government employees and pensioners must be given to them as well. They, being employees of a UT, are entitled to get the same medical benefits as the central government employees. They have also raised their other demands like a release in allowance. They demanded that special concession in medical treatment and hospitals and also in transport fares should be provided to them.
Fixed Medical Allowance is granted to the pensioners residing in areas not covered by CGHS if they are not using CGHS facility for OPD treatment from a CGHS dispensary in the nearest city. The amount of Fixed Medical Allowance has been increased from Rs. 500/- per month to Rs. 1000/- per month w.e.f. 01.07.2017. The forum has also demanded the same medical allowance for pension holders residing in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.
In the meeting, the forum has also highlighted the importance of framing and implementing pro-poor policies. The forum stated that proper politics should be formulated regarding the excessive increase in price and the increasing prices should be curtailed as it has been a constant burden on the common man and each section of society deserves fair treatment.