Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 10: For years, retired employees of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council (jksc) have been fighting for the implementation of the pension scheme and have knocked the doors of the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to intervene and resolve the long pending pension issue.
The Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council Employees Welfare Association had an important meeting at Hari Singh Park today to discuss the difficulties retired employees are facing without pension benefits. Members have signed a joint letter that will be presented to the Lieutenant Governor in order to address the ongoing issue of pensioner benefits.
As previously promised, the JKSCEWA members claim they have called an emergency meeting of the General Council to promptly address the demands of the Sports Council employees.
A retired employee Bua Ditta said, “I have served in the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council for nearly four decades, but after the retirement, I have not received the pension benefits.” Bua Ditta had worked for the organization for 37 years. “We want to live a dignified life, and the Government should recognize our situation. After retirement, we have invested all of our savings in our children’s marriages, leaving us entirely dependent on them, “he added.
“There are approximately 300 employees of the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council (JKSC) who are entitled to receive pension benefits. Of these, about 80 individuals have already retired while others are still working. Life after retirement is very difficult as most of the retirees are struggling without a pension,” he further said.
“I worked in the department for 36 years as an employee and five years as a player,” stated Ashok Singh, a former Divisional Sports Officer. “Like many others, I retired from the department but have not received any pension benefits. Now, we have knocked the doors of LG, Manoj Sinha to consider the long pending demand.”
To facilitate further action, a three-member committee, consisting of former employees, Rajan Sharma, Saktish Chopra, and Nazir Ahmed from the Jammu division, has been proposed to collaborate with the Kashmir Division Committee. Krishan Lal Sharma, Bishambar Singh, Rajan Sharma and Ashok Singh as well as retired Assistant Managers and Section Officers Bua Ditta, Salamat Chaudhary, and Nazir Ahmed, retired Chief Coaches Shamsher Singh and Vishwamitter, along with Groundmen Ajit Singh, Kura Ram and Mohd. Shafi was among those present in the meeting.
Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council (JKSC), Nuzhat Gull told Excelsior, “The matter of pension of Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council employees has already been taken up and is under the consideration of the General Administrative Department.”