AGARTALA, Sep 18 (TIWN): The Forum of Civil Pensioners Associations (FCPA) is observing a three-day nationwide dharna and protest from September 17 to 19, raising an 11-point charter of demands concerning pension-related issues.

The programme has been organised in state capitals across the country, with demonstrations being held in front of offices of Central Government organisations. According to an FCPA circular dated September 14, the organisation called for continuous dharnas from 11 AM to 4 PM on all three days.

Among the principal demands raised by the pensioners’ forum are the withdrawal of the Validation of Pension Rules, 2025, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and revision of pensions for existing pensioners. The forum has also raised concerns regarding the Terms of Reference of the 8th Central Pay Commission, seeking inclusion of pension revision for existing pensioners.

Other issues highlighted by the organisation include the pending pension revision of BSNL and MTNL pensioners with effect from January 1, 2017, merger of Dearness Allowance with basic pension at the level demanded by the organisation, and restoration of commutation benefits after the period sought by the forum.

The FCPA has described the three-day programme as the next phase of its nationwide campaign following a Call Attention Day observed on August 19, 2026. The organisation said pensioners across different states had participated in demonstrations and submitted memorandums highlighting their demands.

The protest also has a particular significance for the organisation on September 19, which it observes as Martyrs Day in memory of the 1968 Central Government employees’ strike. The FCPA has asked participating organisations to observe the day with tributes and a pledge-taking programme.

In Tripura, pensioners have previously participated in the nationwide campaign. On August 21, members of the Forum of Civil Pensioners Association, Tripura State Committee, held a sit-in protest near the Mahatma Gandhi statue at Agartala’s Circuit House, raising the demand for withdrawal of the pension validation rules.

The FCPA has announced that its current phase of agitation will be followed by a Parliament March at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on November 25, 2026, as part of its continuing campaign on pension-related demands.