MADURAI
Members of Tamil Nadu Retired Noon Meal Workers’ Association staged a protest on Collectorate campus here on Monday, seeking an increase in their pension.
District president of the association T. Rajangam said he retired after serving for 35 years but received only ₹ 2,000 as monthly pension. “Nobody can survive with this meagre amount. We are hardly able to manage a couple of days with this amount,” he said.
The district administration was yet to pay their pension for the month of June, he said, adding such delays were common. “Those who live with families can manage, but what about those living alone?” he asked.
District treasure of the association S. Vijayalakshmi said they were living in penury. “If we are physically fit, we would work somewhere. But, we are not able to do so and hence depend on the pension,” she said.
All helpers and teachers, who worked under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), should be paid ₹ 7,850 as pension, they demanded.
M. Thirumalai, one among the protesters, demanded health benefits and free bus passes for them.
