Retired mine workers protest in Kalakote, seek payment of dues
Jammu: Retired mine workers staged a protest outside the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner in Kalakote, Rajouri district of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, demanding payment of their long-pending pensionary and other dues.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the protesting permanent workers and retired casual workers raised slogans against the authorities and submitted a memorandum to the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Dr Tanvir Khan.
The protesters demanded settlement of pending Coal Mines Provident Fund (CMPF) and pension benefits, payment of outstanding pay commission arrears, and equal benefits for eligible retired workers. They also called for reopening of the Regional CMPF office in Jammu and revival of the closed Metka coal mine.
The workers said they had served the coal mines for decades but continued to face financial difficulties due to the non-payment of their legitimate dues.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner met the protesters and assured them that their grievances had been taken up with the higher authorities and efforts were underway for their resolution.
The workers appreciated the administrative intervention but warned of intensifying their protest if their demands were not addressed within the stipulated time.
