The fate of 493 pensioners is now depending upon the next meeting between MLSU Vice Chancellor and State Government on 24^th February. If the output of meeting is negative, then the pensioners will go on hunger strike.

Since last few weeks, pensioners of MLSU are struggling to get their pensions. Most of them are aged and completely dependent upon the pension money.

One such pensioner is 79-year-old Mangilal Sharma (in photo above) who was senior assistant in account section of MLSU. Sharma got retired in 1995. He might have thought that his coming years will pass peacefully with his family.

But unfortunately, Mangilal Sharma faced critical kidney problem and now his both kidneys have failed.

Surviving on dialysis, the bills of Rs.1 Lac which were spent on his medicines have not been paid from last four months because he didn’t receive his pension.

Despite his serious health problems, Mangilal is coming everyday to participate in the protest. Due to the financial crises, he has stopped taking his medicine.

Similar are the cases of 70 other people, who are depended upon the pension. Sharma told UT, “Some of the pensioners are widow while some are facing health problems like me and few have no one to earn in their family.”

“We don’t know how we will survive if we didn’t get our pension in next two months.” he said dejectedly.

No public representative has come to meet the pensioners since they started the dharna outside MLSU from 27^th January.

Now, the last hope is the upcoming meeting between state government and university officials scheduled on 24^th Feb. Pensioners have decided to go on hunger strike from 26^th Feb if the decision doesn’t come in their favor.