Mysuru: Retired State Government Employees have demanded State Government to extend the benefits of Jyothi Sanjeevini, a free healthcare scheme which is being provided to in-service employees, even to the retired employees.

Addressing the gathering at the State-level General body Meeting of Karnataka Rajya Vishrantha Udyogigala Sangha at Kalamandira here on Wednesday, Karnataka State Government Retired Employees Association President Dr. L. Bhyrappa said that several retired employees, who had worked under severe pressure situations while in service, were now suffering from heart and kidney ailments, tuberculosis and other diseases. 

Adding that some retired employees were not able to afford medical expenses, Bhyrappa said that around 4.20 lakh retired employees would be benefited if free healthcare was provided.

“The then CM Siddharamaiah had promised to extend free healthcare to retired employees during a convention in Mysuru. But, the same has not been fulfilled so far as IAS Officers in the Finance Department have kept the file pending,” he alleged. 

Apart from free healthcare, the retired employees also demanded IT exemption, free travel facilities for Bharat Yatra, buildings for Association in each district, 10 percent hike in pension for retired employees who have crossed 70 years and 15 percent for those who have crossed 75 years. 

Sangha President N. Obaiah, Mysuru Chapter Vice-President Appaji and office-bearers Anandappa, N. Nanjappa, M. Kumar, Jayaramegowda, Hassan Chapter’s Anantharam, Chamarajanagar Chapter’s Nagesh, Mandya Chapter President Siddaiah, Gen. Secretary B.R. Umakant and K.T. Veerappa, Narasimhaiah were present.