On August 13, in Udupi, a group of pensioners staged a sit-in protest in front of the provident fund office, led by the Udupi Zonal Committee of Provident Fund Pensioners under the CITU. They demanded an increase in their pension to at least Rs 9,000 and resolution of various problems, including the enhancement of gratuity. Many pensioners are struggling with low payouts, receiving as little as Rs 600 or Rs 700, which they argue is insufficient for a dignified life. Despite repeated appeals to the Provident Fund Commissioner, their concerns have gone unaddressed. The protesters also highlighted the need for proper training of staff to handle senior citizens with care and respect. The protest meeting was addressed by prominent leaders, including Sukumar Thokkuttu and H. Narasimha. A request was subsequently made to the Regional Commissioner, and local issues were discussed. The protest was attended by several key figures, including Kaviraj S. Kanchan, Balkis, Sunita Shetty, Nalini S., Suresh Kallagara, and Sashidhar Golla.
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📰 Source: Vartha Bharati Udupi