The Government Pensioners Welfare Organisation has called for Uttarakhand’s Golden Card scheme to be brought fully in line with the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS). The demand was raised during a meeting at Pensioners Bhawan in the Treasury premises, Dehradun, where members also discussed several unresolved pension-related issues.

The organisation appealed to pensioners to remain united and participate actively in efforts to secure time-bound action on their demands. Speakers said pensioners had made an important contribution to the development of the country and Uttarakhand during their service years.

Concerns over slow departmental progress

Organisation president Thakur Sher Singh Thapli said progress by the departments concerned on decisions taken at a meeting chaired by the chief secretary on 12 August had been very slow. He said he was not satisfied with the pace of implementation.

Thapli said pensioners were entitled to a dignified life after retirement, better healthcare facilities and time-bound resolution of pension-related problems. The meeting also welcomed and honoured Dinesh Joshi after his appointment as the organisation’s state working president.

Minister Deepchand Sharma said a grievance-redressal portal should be established at the authority level to ensure the prompt resolution of pensioners’ problems. Senior vice-president Vijendra Kumar called for early positive action on other pending demands.

The meeting also raised the issue of a file concerning the notional increment. Speakers said the file was still moving through the Secretariat without a decision being reported in the meeting.

Treasurer Anil Kumar Painuli said every member should participate actively in the organisation’s activities and help bring more pensioners into the organisation. Spokesperson Mahidhar Singh Tomar said collective action had helped present pensioners’ legitimate demands more effectively before the government.

Executive committee expanded

The organisation expanded its executive committee during the meeting. Dinesh Joshi was appointed adviser, while Girish Bhatt, R.C. Garg, Rajkumar Agarwal, Jaipal Singh, P.P. Saini and Manohar Sadana were appointed vice-presidents.

Nandkishore Tripathi was appointed joint secretary. Chandrabhan Multani and Dinesh Sundariyal were appointed organisation secretaries, while Kunwar Singh Ramola was appointed publicity secretary.

Ajay Kumar Singh, Lalit Mohan Uniyal, Kunwar Singh Negi and Hemant Rotela were named executive committee members. S.R. Nautiyal was appointed legal adviser.

The meeting also decided to hold elections for sub-branches in Rishikesh and Vikas Nagar. Thakur Sher Singh urged all office-bearers to attend the organisation’s upcoming meetings.

Conclusion

The Dehradun meeting focused on making the Golden Card scheme fully CGHS-compliant, accelerating action on pending pensioners’ demands and strengthening organisational participation. The organisation also plans sub-branch elections in Rishikesh and Vikas Nagar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the main demand raised by the pensioners?

The pensioners want the Golden Card scheme to be made fully compliant with the Central Government Health Scheme.

Q. Where was the meeting held?

The meeting was held at Pensioners Bhawan on the Treasury premises in Dehradun.

Q. What concern was raised about the chief secretary’s meeting?

Thakur Sher Singh Thapli said departmental progress on decisions taken at the meeting chaired by the chief secretary on 12 August was very slow.

Q. What grievance mechanism was proposed?

Minister Deepchand Sharma proposed a grievance-redressal portal at the authority level for pensioners’ problems.

Q. Which pending issue was specifically mentioned?

The meeting mentioned the file concerning the notional increment, which was still moving through the Secretariat.

Q. Which places will hold sub-branch elections?

The organisation decided to hold sub-branch elections in Rishikesh and Vikas Nagar.

Q. Who was appointed the organisation’s state working president?

Dinesh Joshi was welcomed and honoured after becoming the organisation’s state working president.