Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 17: The Central Government Pensioners’ Welfare Association ( CGPWA) Jammu, representing pensioners of 36 Central Government Departments/Ministries, including All India Services viz IAS, IPS & IFS, celebrated 37th National Pensioners’ Day, here today.
Kuldeep Khoda , former DG Police & Chief Vigilance Commissioner J&K, was chief guest on the occasion. The function was attended by a large number of Association members and special invitees from various organizations of State Government pensioners; besides eminent social activists.
Khoda, in his address, suggested that the Association could consider utilizing its valuable collective wisdom and lifelong experiences of its eminent members to serve as a vital element in the society to advance the interests of the people at large. It could also help the Government in carrying out pressing reforms in governance system of our country, he added and advised the Association to continue to pursue its good work for addressing concerns of Pensioners who constitute a formidable section of the civil society.
S S Wazir (IPS-Retd), President CGPWA, in his welcome address, gave a brief background of the Pensioners’ Day which was first celebrated in the country on 17th December, 1983 to commemorate landmark judgment of the Supreme Court on 17th December, 1982 in D S Nakara vs Union of India case that pension was a matter of right to the retiree and a gratis.
V P Sharma, Patron of CGPWA, recalled how a small group of ten Central Govt pensioners including himself assembled at Lakshmi Narayan Temple Gandhinagar and decided to form an Association.
J K Vaid, General Secretary CGPWA, who conducted proceedings of the function, briefed about the latest welfare initiatives taken by the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare, Govt of India.
K B Jandial (IAS-Retd) Member Executive Committee, briefed the participants on latest developments in Central Govt Health Scheme (CGHS) in Jammu and its benefits. “With concerted efforts of the Association, SMVDNSH Kakryal has been empanelled under CGHS with cashless facility and a new CGHS Wellness Centre sanctioned for Srinagar. Bee Enn Hospital Jammu has also been empanelled by CGHS to facilitate CGHS beneficiaries,” he said.
K S Chibb, former Director, Family Pensions in Department of Pension; B K Raina, Vice President CGPWA also spoke on the occasion.
The CGPWA also honoured Dr Kuljeet Kour, former Incharge CMO, Wellness Centre, Jammu and K L Dogra, Principal, MV International School, Vijaypur.
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