Yashwant Dewan Promises Reforms for Pensioners Ahead of Chhattisgarh State President Elections

Published on: April 11, 2025
By: [BTI]
Location: Rajnandgaon, India

With the state-level election for the Chhattisgarh Pensioners’ Association (Reg. No. 1844/2007) scheduled for Sunday, April 13, presidential candidate Shri Yashwant Dewan visited the Pyarelal Pensioners’ School in Rajnandgaon to address a massive gathering of retired employees from Rajnandgaon and neighboring tehsils including Khairagarh, Dongargaon, Chhuikhadan, Churia, Gandai, and Ghumka.

The attendees unanimously pledged their support for Dewan, recognizing his clean image, past contributions, and dedication to the cause of pensioners. Several local leaders, including Municipal President Shri Patram Sahu, Nisar Ahmad Sir, Sudhir Shende, Kehri Sir, Kadhar Sir, K.K. Dubey Sir, Ramesh Bhojwani, and Anil Sharma, expressed their endorsement and called for a united vote to ensure Dewan’s victory.

During the event, Yashwant Dewan released his official manifesto, outlining the following key promises upon his election:

1. Establishing a Permanent Office for the state association in Raipur to avoid recurring rental costs during meetings and operations.
2. Resolution of issues under Section 49(2) of the Madhya Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2000, which hampers pension-related decisions between MP and Chhattisgarh due to mutual consent requirements—leading to major arrears in 6th and 7th pay commission benefits.
3. National parity in pension policies, ensuring Chhattisgarh and MP pensioners are treated equally under India’s single Constitution.
4. Provision of ₹1000/month for free medical treatment to all pensioners.
5. Expediting pending orders for additional pension increases of 5% at ages 65, 70, and 75, along with efforts to remove the 10% cap on compassionate appointments.
6. Abolishing post-retirement departmental recoveries from pensions.
7. Amendment of the association’s constitution, addressing clauses that grant absolute powers to the state president without democratic elections at district and tehsil levels.

The local leadership urged all pensioners to vote on April 13, 2025 (Sunday), between 10 AM and 5 PM, and to carry their Aadhaar card to obtain their voter slip. Those who haven’t received their slips can collect them at the venue.

This information was shared in an official press release by Publicity In-Charge Shri Ramesh Bhojwani.