Pensioners Rally for Old Pension Scheme Revival | Protest Highlights Unfulfilled Promises | Tamil Nadu Advocacy
Pensioners rallied in Thoothukudi on Tuesday, asserting their demand for the reinstatement of the old pension scheme, a commitment outlined by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in the party's manifesto during the previous Assembly election. The demonstrators emphasized that Mr. Stalin, having pledged to revive the old pension scheme and dismiss the contributory pension plan, consistently underscored this commitment throughout his electoral campaign across Tamil Nadu. Additionally, he assured a 10% pension increase for individuals over 70.
Despite the Chief Minister's claims of fulfilling numerous DMK poll promises, he remains silent on the crucial commitment to reinstate the old pension scheme. In response, pensioners initiated a statewide demonstration, seeking to draw attention to this unfulfilled "all-important poll promise" and remind the CM of his pledge.
The protesters advocated for various reforms, including a pension of ₹7,850 for the nutritious meal scheme, anganwadi, panchayat secretaries, and lower-level revenue workers. They insisted on full reimbursement of medical expenses without conditions for pensioners enrolled in medical insurance schemes.
The demonstration near Lourdhunathan statue in Palayamkottai, led by S. Kumarasamy, the Tirunelveli district president of the Tamil Nadu Government All Departments Pensioners' Association, featured addresses by district secretary G. Gomathinayagam, State secretary S. Arumugam, and district president of the Tamil Nadu Government Employees' Association V. Parthasarathi.
Simultaneously, at the Chidambara Nagar bus stop in Thoothukudi, T. Mayilvaganam, the president of the Tamil Nadu Pensioners' Association, presided over another protest. Similar demonstrations took place in front of the taluk offices of Sattankulam, Tenkasi, and Nagercoil.