Pension Parishad, to hold a demonstration of elderly people and other marginalised groups during every session of Parliament until our demands are at least substantially met. While the nature of the demonstration has differed depending on the situation, we have complied with and followed this decision in every Parliament session since the pension Parishad was formed in February 2012.

 

We are writing to you today to invite to join us in another protest during the winter session of parliament. About 500 elderly people from across the country will sit through in Delhi from 25^th November, 2013 till our demands are substantially met.

 

During the budget session, on March 6, 2013 over 15000 elderly persons from 26 states assembled at Parliament Street to demand specific assurances from the government. The Minister for Rural Development, ShriJairam Ramesh first worked out an "in principle" agreement with the Pension Parishad based on Instructions from the Prime Minister. (copy attached) The Minister then came to Parliament Street and addressed the gathering, where he made a similar statement. 

While the Governments assurance is yet to be realised, there are many States where there has been progress in moving towards the Pension Parishad demands for Universal Pensions. Needless to say this is not enough, but it has energised the elderly tremendously. It is clear that as crucial state and central elections approach, if we seize the moment and organise the elderly, they stand to benefit a great deal in moving towards living a life of dignity.   

 

We had a one day dharna on Thursday the 22nd of August. We also decided to plan and fix the next course of action in the struggle. The Delhi groups decided to carry out a detailed house to house survey in select localities to understand the nature, reach, and effectiveness of Delhis pension schemes. A brief report of this study is now ready.

 

The winter session of parliament is possibly the last opportunity that we are likely to get to push for universal pensions before the elections are announced.  

 

Assembly elections have been scheduled in five states, one of which is Delhi. Groups from across the country have been suggesting that 25th November onwards would be a good time for Pension Parishad to mobilise around the pension issue. The idea is to push for ‘manglekar aye hain, pension lekarjayenge’. We have an initial plan to “sit” for at least a month till a substantial proportion of the demands are met. During this period other people’s movements and campaigns would also participate so that many issues are articulated at the dharna during this period and feed into a peoples manifesto document that could be used during the national elections. 

 

The presence of about 500 elderly people daily in the cold Delhi winter will be a challenge for us, but also a pressure on parliamentarians. Any volunteers for doing preparatory work prior to and after the dharna would be enthusiastically welcomed! So would support that can be extended in any form.

 

Please do forward this invitation to all networks you may be linked with and who will extend their support to this cause. Please do reply immediately, contact us on... and let us know how many people will come to Delhi on the 25^th of November, 2013. 

 

With apologies for any cross-posting.

 

APL/BPL KHATAM KARO

SABKO RATION PENSION DO!

Zindabad!

In solidarity,

Baba Adhav, and Aruna Roy

(For Pension Parishad)

Contacts: Shankar Singh 09414003247, Poornima 09422317928, Nikhil 09910421260 Kamayani 09771950248, Sanjay 09810711644, Nalini 07829777737, Arvind 09304238717