Dear Comrades & Respected Representatives,
With a deep sense of gratitude, responsibility, and determination, I, on behalf of the Forum of Civil Pensioners’ Association (FCPA), Odisha State Committee, extend my heartfelt thanks to each participating organization, every leader, and all distinguished representatives who stood united with us in today’s (24th August 2025) State Level Convention held in the Seminar Hall of Door Sanchar Bhawan, Rupali Square, Bhubaneswar - 751022.
At a time when our community of pensioners is passing through one of the most challenging and testing phases in independent India, your active participation reflects your unwavering commitment to justice, dignity, and equality.
The Plight of Pensioners Today:
Pension is not a charity but a right earned through decades of dedicated service to the nation. Yet, in recent months, we have witnessed repeated and aggressive moves from the Union Government which have deeply hurt, humiliated, and unsettled millions of senior citizens who have served the country with utmost sincerity.
The most disturbing of all is the Validation of Pension Rules, 2025, passed arbitrarily, which seeks to retrospectively validate rules dating back to 1st June 1972 — an act that strikes at the very foundation of natural justice. This has opened the door to unequal treatment among pensioners, threatening the very principles of equity and social security for which our Constitution stands.
Furthermore, the Finance Act, 2025 has brought discrimination among pensioners by creating artificial divisions in benefits and entitlements. Such policies are not just anti-pensioner; they are anti-constitutional and anti-welfare.
We also reiterate our long-pending demand for the immediate constitution of the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC). With rising prices, an unending wave of inflation, and ever-increasing medical expenses, the delay in constituting the 8th CPC is pushing lakhs of retired employees into unbearable financial and emotional distress.
Our Sincere Thanks:
Despite your age-related constraints, pressing personal engagements, and even the adverse weather conditions, your presence today has turned this convention into a historic show of solidarity.
We extend our special thanks to the following leaders and representatives for their valuable deliberations, inspiring speeches, and strong support for our collective cause:
• Com Janardan Pati, State President, CITU Odisha, for his powerful inaugural address and unwavering stand against the anti-pensioner policies.
• Com R. N. Mallik (AOLICPA / OSKEM) and Com Prakash Chandra Ray (All India GS, UCo Bank Employees Union & President, BEFI Odisha) for expressing strong solidarity and exposing the divisive agenda of the Finance Act 2025.
• Our heartfelt gratitude to Com R.N. Dhal, State Convener, for placing the Memorandum and steering the discussions meaningfully.
• Special acknowledgement to Com Bishnu Prasad Das (AIPRPA) for delivering the vote of thanks and to all our fellow comrades who shared their insights and concerns today.
We are equally indebted to the following 15 participating organizations and their esteemed representatives, who spoke with one voice demanding justice and equality:
1. Com. B N Tripathy (SNPWA)
2. Com. S C Dash (AIPRPA)
3. Com. Kanbhupani Pattnaik (ITPA)
4. Com. Antaryami Dhupal (AIBDPA)
5. Com. Manoranjan Mishra (GSIPA)
6. Com. Parsuram Rout (SOIPA)
7. Com. Purna Ch. Nayak (RMRCPA)
8. Com. S S Acharya (CGWBPA)
9. Com. J K Dash (AIRBSNLEWA)
10. Com. J K Mishra (IOPPA)
11. Com. Dibakar Mishra (KVSREWS)
12. Com. A K Tripthay (AIBSNLPWA)
13. Com. Kishore Ch Sahoo ( GOITBPPA)
14. Com. R P Ray Mohapatra (CWCPA)
15. Com. Govind Ch. Sadangi (CGPA,Puri)
Our United Resolution:
The convention has unanimously resolved:
• To submit a detailed Memorandum to the Hon’ble Governor of Odisha, requesting him to forward it to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India with urgency, seeking:
• Immediate withdrawal of the Validation of Pension Rules, 2025.
• End of all discrimination among pensioners created through the Finance Act, 2025.
• Constitution of the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) without any further delay.
• To continue strengthening the FCPA Odisha State Committee by including leaders from newly joined organizations and intensify our united struggle under the guidance of the CHQ Apex Body.
Our Appeal to the Union Government:
We remind the Government of India that a pensioner is not a burden on the nation but the very foundation on which this nation was built. To deprive us of our rightful dues is to deny dignity to those who have dedicated their lives to public service.
We urge the Union Government to reconsider its anti-pensioner policies and act swiftly to restore fairness, equality, and respect. Ignoring the legitimate concerns of millions of senior citizens will only deepen resentment and unrest.
Dear comrades,
Today’s convention has rekindled our hope and strengthened our resolve. Together, we are not just fighting for pensioners; we are fighting for the very idea of justice, equality, and respect for the elderly in our society.
Let us stay united, vigilant, and determined. Our collective voice shall rise louder, stronger, and clearer until every unjust rule is rolled back and every right is restored.
“An injury to one pensioner is an injury to all pensioners.”
With deepest gratitude and unwavering commitment,
= Com. Bruhaspati Samal =
President
Forum of Civil Pensioners’ Association (FCPA), Odisha State Committee
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