Pensioners across the country are set to intensify their agitation for long-pending benefits, with a 10-day nationwide protest planned at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi this March. The Telangana Government Pensioners’ Joint Action Committee (JAC) announced that pensioners from Telangana will actively participate in the dharna along with retirees from other states.

The announcement was made during the launch of the Pensioners’ Diary at a meeting held in Hyderabad on Wednesday. All India Pensioners Federation Secretary General D. Sudhakar, Financial Secretary Rajendra Babu, and Telangana Pensioners JAC Chairman K. Lakshmaiah, among others, attended the event, according to an official statement.

Addressing the gathering, D. Sudhakar and K. Lakshmaiah said the protest aims to press for the protection of pensioners’ rights and the immediate release of long-pending dues. Lakshmaiah demanded that the Telangana government announce pending Dearness Allowances (DAs) and the new Pay Revision Commission (PRC) before the municipal election schedule is released.

He stated that around Rs. 8,500 crore in arrears are pending for pensioners who retired after 2024 and called for their immediate release. The leaders also announced that March 25 will be observed as a “Black Day” in protest against what they termed a “black law” that they say adversely affects pensioners.

Expressing disappointment, the leaders said pensioners had expected their problems to be resolved after the Congress came to power, but instead, retired employees continue to face relentless struggles even in their later years. 

They noted that elderly pensioners are being forced onto the streets despite their age and health concerns. The absence of health cards has worsened the situation, with many falling ill; they alleged that about 42 pensioners have died without receiving their dues, while several others are bedridden and battling for survival.

They pointed out that six DAs remain pending as of this January, and although nearly three years have passed since the last PRC, there has been no progress toward announcing a new one. Urging the government to act immediately, they appealed for the announcement of pending DAs and a new PRC as a “Sankranti gift,” ahead of the municipal election schedule. They also demanded the establishment of a dedicated Pensioners’ Directorate to address retirees’ issues effectively.

Key Demands of Pensioners include immediate release of pending arrears for pensioners who retired after 2024, convening a special meeting to resolve pensioners’ issues on a priority basis, provision of medical treatment under health cards in all hospitals without delay, grant of notional increments to 398 special teachers and release of pending DAs and announcement of a new PRC from the due date