Pensioners threaten hunger strike

Kolkata, Jun 23 (UNI) Pensioners of the Calcutta Dock Labour Board (CDLB) have threatened to go on hunger strike if their pensions were not paid regularly by the authorities.

Speaking to mediapersons here today, Calcutta Port and Dock Pensioners Welfare Association General Secretary Ardhendu Sekhar Bhattacharya said that their pensions have been delayed for more than four months and they have been deprived of other benefits as well.'' Mr Bhattacharya said they did not get any revision of payment and other benefits.

'' The board is facing fund crunch and almost 7,000 pensioners are suffering due to this. We have chalked out an agitational programme to protest non-payment of pension on regular basis,'' he said.

The Association would also request the Union Shipping Ministry to provide grant-in aid or sanction loan to the CDLB for payment of arrear dues of the pensioners.

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