Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 25 July 2025
Responding to a nationwide call by the Forum of Civil Pensioners Associations, New Delhi, central government pensioners across the country formed Human Chains on 25th July 2025 to press for key demands, including the immediate constitution of the 8th Central Pay Commission and the withdrawal of a contentious provision in the Finance Act, 2025.
In Sri Vijaya Puram, the Government Pensioners Association of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands organized the Human Chain demonstration near Tiranga Park, Aberdeen Bazar. A large number of pensioners, including women, participated in the peaceful protest.
The event was inaugurated by K.G. Das, President of the Government Pensioners Association, who strongly criticized the central government for creating a divide among pensioners based on their date of retirement. He called the move discriminatory and unjust.
Addressing the gathering, D. Ayyappan, former General Secretary of the Non-Gazetted Government Officers’ Association, explained the controversial provision in Part IV of Chapter V of the Finance Act, 2025. He alleged that the government’s decision to distinguish between pensioners was intended to deny them the benefits of the forthcoming 8th Central Pay Commission.
Pronob Banerjee, Vice President of the Government Pensioners Association, stated that this protest marks only the beginning of a series of agitations to be held across the country. He warned of more organized and widespread demonstrations if the government fails to respond to the demands.
In a symbolic gesture, K.G. Das stood as the first link in the Human Chain near the SBI Main Branch, while General Secretary Suresh Lall formed the final link at the other end near Tiranga Park.
