Srinagar, June 2 -- A delegation of the J&K Employees, Pensioners and Senior Citizens United Front (JKEPSCUF) on Monday submitted a memorandum to the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC) at the SKICC here, demanding a minimum pension of ?15,000 per month and medical allowance parity with neighbouring Ladakh.

The delegation, led by Front chairman Rafiq Ahmad Khanyari, placed before the panel a five-point charter of demands, stressing that the region's unique socio-economic conditions - including harsh winters and limited employment opportunities since the 1990s - have made households heavily dependent on pensioner incomes for survival.

"The minimum pension must be raised from ?9,000 to ?15,000 monthly to offset rising living costs and heavy ...