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| Health Talk on “ENT concerns of elderly” | | CGPWA celebrates 43rd National Pensioners’ Day with demand to amend ToR of 8th CPC | 
Jammu, December 17 (Scoop News)- The Central Govt Pensioners’ Welfare Association Jammu ( CGPWA) today celebrated the 43rd National Pensioners’ Day with demand to amend Terms of Reference ( ToR )of 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) and withdrawal of draconian “Validation of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules and the Principles for Expenditure on Pension Liabilities from the Consolidated Fund of India”, part of the Finance Act 2025, of which it was a part.
The Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, who was the Chief Guest of the function, however, said that the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman has made it clear in the Parliament on 2nd December that On December 2, 2025, pension will not be excluded from the 8th CPC’s purview.
The event was presided over by the President of the CGPWA, Kuldeep Khoda. Among others present on the occasion included Dr Ashok Bhan, Ashok Angurana and B R Sharma.
The Pensioners of Jammu and elsewhere are worried over the amendment in CCS (Pension) Rules, retrospectively validating differential treatment of pensioners based on date of retirement negating the principle held by the Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court in D S Nakara that all pensioners constituted a homogeneous class and the State cannot create a "class within a class" of pensioners. But now the Govt has by an enacted law, overrides this principle of equality, verbal or general statements made on the floor of the House notwithstanding. This suspicion of pensioners of depriving some pensioners of the benefit of 8th CPC based on date of retirement, has been strengthened by the omission of “pensioners” in the ToR. No verbal assurance, however well-intentioned, can amend or dilute a statute along with inclusion of revision of pension of existing pensioners in the ToR of the CPC. The amendment which violates Article 14 is already under challenge in the Apex Court.
Dulloo listed out many initiatives of the Govt of India for the welfare of pensioners like Unified Pension Scheme, DLCs, doorstep banking facility, universal health cover in J&K under Ayushman for above 70 years scheme, Income tax reliefs etc.
Dulloo said that pensioners are a valuable human resource with a lot of experience, knowledge and wisdom and they should evolve a system to share and mentor the serving officers especially the younger ones. He complimented CGPWA for being a vibrant body which has taken up many social initiatives to repay to the society
Commenting on some of the pending demands of the CGPWA Jammu as raised by the general Secretary K B Jandial in his welcome address, Dulloo assured that action would be taken soon for final redressal including disbursal of pension on fixed date of the month from Jammu & Kashmir Bank irrespective of day being bank holiday or not.
Both Khoda and Jandial profusely thanked Dulloo for taking pain in addressing pensioners issues which no other Chief Secretary had ever taken.
Earlier. Dr. Rohan Gupta, Senior Consultant ENT of Narayana Superspeciality Hospital, in his illuminating Health Talk on “ ENT concerns of Elderly”, counselled the pensioners for taking preventing steps to minimise the impact of aging on hearing, vocal cord and nasal problems. He emphasized the critical importance of early intervention in age-related hearing loss (Presbycusis). and said that hearing loss is not merely a sign of aging but a significant health marker often linked to social isolation, depression, and cognitive decline. He urged pensioners to move past the social stigma associated with hearing aids, noting that modern untreated hearing loss can accelerate dementia. He stressed that regular audiometric screenings should be as routine as monitoring blood reassure for the elderly, ensuring that communication barriers do not compromise their quality of life.
Dr. Rohan drew attention to the often-overlooked issues of vertigo and balance disorders, which are leading causes of falls among the elderly. He explained that degenerative changes in the inner ear, combined with medication side effects, often contribute to dizziness and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). He advised the association members to maintain active lifestyles but to seek immediate ENT consultation if they experience unsteadiness, rather than dismissing it as general weakness. The session concluded with practical guidance on ear hygiene, specifically warning against the use of ear buds for wax removal, and encouraged the adoption of assistive listening devices to maintain mental sharpness and social connectivity. The Health Talk was followed by an interactive session which benefited the pensioners. Both Dulloo and Khoda lauded Dr Rohan Gupta’s Talk and complimented him.
He announced that a free ENT Camp is being held at Narayana Hospital Gandhinagar OPD on Saturday, 20th December from 10 A. M. to 3 P. M. People should avail this facility.
Khoda expressed profound gratitude to the Chief Secretary for the interest he has taken to resolve long pending issues of CGPWA and hope that remaining issues too would find an amicable solution soon as promised. He shared with him the activities of the CGPWA and said our pensioner members are very active and take part in our activities which keep them busy besides helping the society in different ways. He recalled the recent visit of the members to the Milk Plant run by the J&K Milk Producers’ Cooperative Ltd which has undergone total transformation under the chairmanship of Ashok Angurana, our Life member and said it is seen to be believed that such a world class plant existed in Jammu.
Earlier, Jandial in his welcome address spoke about the significance of the day and the alarming situation that has arisen due to inappropriate decisions of the Govt of India causing a wave of resentment among pensioners across the country. While the central Govt has done a great deal for the welfare of the pensioners, amendment in Pension rules and anti-pensioners ToR has caused an enormous concern for pensioners who constitute 70 lakhs in the country.
Vice President CGPWA Dr Sudarshan Kumar presented the formal vote of thanks. Nisar Ahmad conducted the proceedings. Both Dulloo and Dr Rohan Gupta were honoured. Khoda also presented to the Chief Secretary latest copies of the publications of the CGPWA.
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