Dear Comrades,
It was indeed a moving experience for me today (28th June 2025) to be in the midst of the most dignified and spirited guardians of our society — the super senior citizens of the Regional Pensioners' Association, Mahidharpada, Cuttack. Despite the passage of years and the physical discomforts that naturally accompany advancing age, their unwavering spirit and continued commitment to justice — especially the just cause of pension — filled me with respect and inspiration.
I was deeply honoured to have been invited by the Association, affiliated with the Odisha Retired Employees' Federation, to speak on the theme "Government’s Attitude on Pension and the Role of Pensioners." That I was the only speaker before such a wise and attentive audience of mostly 70 years and above, who listened with patience and determination for nearly one and a half hours, is a moment I will always cherish.
Pension is not a bounty or an ex-gratia payment — it is a hard-earned right, constitutionally backed, morally sound, and socially just. From the dawn of pension in 1871 to the sweeping changes brought by the Finance Act 2025, I endeavoured to cover the history, legal evolution, and policy shifts — from the old defined benefit schemes to the New Pension System (NPS) and now the contentious Universal Pension Scheme (UPS).
I am especially thankful to the President, Secretary, and all esteemed members of the Association for giving me this platform. Their graceful hospitality and keen involvement reaffirmed my belief that even at an advanced age, when the body may falter, the soul of resistance and the will to safeguard one’s rights can still burn brightly.
Let this not be the end, but a spark towards united action. I sincerely appeal to all members to participate actively in the nationwide one-day strike on 9th July 2025 — a collective voice for justice, for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), and for dignity in the twilight years of life.
= B SAMAL =
General Secretary
Confederation of Central Govt Employees and Workers
Odisha State CoC
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