And with each day passing day, the anxiety level of PAU pensioners is rising. Notable here is that on March 12, just a day before the PAU campus Kisan Mela, Vice Chancellor Dr M S Kang had assured the pensioners that the grant had come to PAU, and that they should withdraw their protest.

The PAU pensioners, who had been on relay hunger strike for nearly 16 days, withdrew their protest on this assurance. The grant which was being touted as already in the coffers of PAU is nowhere to be seen till date, they complain.

In such a scenario, the pensioners met the Comptroller here today to enquire about the grant, but had to come back disappointed. The pensioners would soon be complete their fifth month without pension. The leaders of the pensioners’ union visited Thapar Hall today to inquire about the pensions. They were dismayed to learn that the fund has not been received yet.

The pensioners point out that the last five months have been tough for them. “Meeting both ends had really been difficult. But now that we have been assured of pensions, it seems that the good days are not far,” said Ved Parkash, a pensioner.

Dr IK Garg, Convener, Confederation of PAU Pensioners’ Association, met the Registrar in this regard. He said, “Our hard times have passed now, and we are hopeful of receiving pensions soon.”

He added that PAU will receive the pension funds shortly. Registrar PAU Dr RK Mahay has also informed pensioners that PAU is in touch with the state government, and will receive the money shortly.