UAE takes surprise visa step for expatriates stranded abroad amid Iran vs US-Israel war

Aiming to minimize travel disruptions and support thousands of residents stranded abroad, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) has announced a temporary measure, allowing expatriate residents whose UAE residency visas have expired to return to the country without having to apply for a new entry permit. The policy will remain in effect until March 31, giving affected residents a crucial window to re-enter the country and regularize their immigration status.The decision comes at a time when widespread flight disruptions and regional tensions have left many expatriates unable to travel back to the UAE before their visas expire. Officials say the measure reflects the country’s flexible administrative approach during extraordinary circumstances and is aimed at reducing the burden on residents caught up in travel disruptions.

united arab emirates One month relaxation granted for residents stranded amid Iran vs US-Israel war

According to the ICP, the temporary rule applies to residents who were outside the UAE when their residence permit expired on or after February 28, 2026. Instead of going through the normal process of applying for a new entry visa, eligible individuals can now travel directly back to the UAE within the specified period. The measure will be valid until March 31, effectively giving migrants a one-month grace period to return and ascertain their visa status after arrival. Once back in the country, residents can complete the necessary procedures to renew or regularize their residence through the relevant immigration authorities. Immigration officials stressed that the initiative is designed to simplify procedures for residents who were previously unable to return due to circumstances beyond their control.

Airspace closure and travel disruption behind UAE’s decision amid Iran vs US-Israel war

Officials indicated that the policy was introduced partly in response to regional airspace closures and flight suspensions, which prevented many residents from traveling back to the UAE before their residence permits expired. The wider Middle East has faced significant aviation disruptions in recent weeks due to rising regional tensions, forcing airlines to cancel or divert flights to several Gulf countries.These disruptions left many expatriates stranded abroad, unable to renew their visas or return home in time. By allowing residents to re-enter without a new permit, authorities hope to reduce the administrative hurdles that typically accompany expired residence permits.

No penalty for UAE residents affected by extraordinary circumstances amid Iran vs US-Israel war

Another important aspect of the policy is the waiver of penalties for residents whose visas expired while they were outside the country due to these extraordinary travel conditions. Authorities confirmed that eligible individuals will be able to return and regularize their residence status without incurring penalties related to overstaying abroad, provided they enter the UAE during the grace period. The relief measure is expected to benefit thousands of migrants who work in sectors ranging from finance and technology to construction and hospitality. Officials said the decision is also aimed at helping families reunite. Many residents who traveled abroad earlier this year were unable to return due to flight cancellations and border restrictions, leaving family members isolated for weeks.ICP said the initiative is in line with broader government efforts to ensure that residents can continue their lives and contribute to the country’s economy without unnecessary immigration barriers. The United Arab Emirates is home to the world’s largest expatriate population, with foreign nationals making up approximately 90% of the country’s residents. Therefore, policies that ease immigration processes during emergencies are important to maintain economic stability and workforce continuity.

A pattern of flexible immigration measures by the UAE

The latest decision is part of a series of flexible visa policies introduced by the UAE in response to unexpected travel disruptions. In recent weeks, authorities have also announced measures such as visa grace periods, waivers on overstay fines and extended time limits for travelers affected by airport closures. These policies are designed to ensure that residents and visitors are not penalized for circumstances beyond their control. Immigration analysts say such measures reflect the UAE’s broader strategy to maintain its reputation as a global hub for talent, business and expatriate communities.

What immigrants need to know

There are some key points residents planning to return to the UAE under this policy should keep in mind:

Immigration officials have encouraged affected residents to return within the stipulated time frame to avoid complications after the temporary policy ends. This announcement sends a clear signal about the UAE’s approach during a period of uncertainty. Instead of imposing strict immigration rules during exceptional circumstances, the government has opted for practical solutions that prioritize the welfare of residents.For thousands of migrants who feared losing their residency status due to expired visas while abroad, the new policy offers a lifeline and a chance to return home without bureaucratic hurdles. As travel conditions across the region gradually stabilize, officials say the temporary measure should help restore normal immigration processes, while also ensuring that no residents are unduly harmed by disruptions beyond their control.

मुजफ्फरनगर जागरूकता कार्यक्रम के अंतर्गत स्वामी कल्याण देव बघरा डिग्री कॉलेज में एनएसएस के सात दिवसीय विशेष शिविर के समापन अवसर पर एक महत्वपूर्ण जागरूकता कार्यक्रम का आयोजन किया गया। कार्यक्रम में एंटी ह्यूमन ट्रैफिकिंग (एएचटी) टीम ने विद्यार्थियों को मानव तस्करी, साइबर अपराध, महिलाओं एवं बच्चों की सुरक्षा तथा कानूनी अधिकारों से संबंधित महत्वपूर्ण जानकारी प्रदान की.

कार्यक्रम का मुख्य उद्देश्य युवाओं को समाज में बढ़ती चुनौतियों के प्रति जागरूक करना और उन्हें जिम्मेदार और सतर्क नागरिक बनने के लिए प्रेरित करना था। कार्यक्रम में बड़ी संख्या में विद्यार्थियों ने भाग लिया और विभिन्न सामाजिक एवं कानूनी विषयों पर जानकारी प्राप्त की।

विद्यार्थियों को मानव तस्करी के खतरों से अवगत कराया गया

मुज़फ्फरनगर जागरूकता कार्यक्रम इस दौरान एएचटी थाने से सब इंस्पेक्टर जगत सिंह छात्रों को संबोधित करते हुए उन्होंने मानव तस्करी जैसे गंभीर अपराध के विभिन्न पहलुओं पर विस्तार से प्रकाश डाला।

उन्होंने कहा कि मानव तस्करी किसी व्यक्ति को जबरन कहीं ले जाने तक सीमित नहीं है. कई बार लोग झूठे वादे, लालच या दबाव उन्हें गलत गतिविधियों में भी धकेला जाता है.

उन्होंने छात्रों को चेतावनी दी कि अगर उन्हें कोई संदिग्ध गतिविधि दिखे तो तुरंत पुलिस या संबंधित अधिकारियों को सूचित करें।

महिलाओं और बच्चों की सुरक्षा पर विशेष जोर

कार्यक्रम में एएचटी टीम के सदस्य हेड कांस्टेबल अमरजीत सिंह ने भी छात्रों को संबोधित किया. उन्होंने कहा कि महिलाओं और बच्चों की सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित करने के लिए सरकार और पुलिस प्रशासन लगातार प्रयास कर रही है.

उन्होंने कहा कि मानव तस्करी एवं महिला अपराध को रोकने में समाज के जागरूक नागरिकों की भूमिका अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण है।

उन्होंने विद्यार्थियों से अपील की कि वे अपने आसपास होने वाली किसी भी संदिग्ध घटना को नजरअंदाज न करें और इसकी तुरंत सूचना दें।

कानूनी अधिकारों के बारे में दी जानकारी

कार्यक्रम में विधिक सेवा प्राधिकरण के पीएलवी गौरव मलिक साथ ही विद्यार्थियों को उनके कानूनी अधिकारों के बारे में विस्तार से जानकारी दी।

उन्होंने कहा कि देश के प्रत्येक नागरिक को कानून द्वारा अनेक अधिकार प्राप्त हैं। यदि कोई व्यक्ति किसी भी प्रकार के शोषण, उत्पीड़न या अन्याय का शिकार है विधिक सेवा प्राधिकरण के माध्यम से निःशुल्क कानूनी सहायता पा सकते हैं।

उन्होंने विद्यार्थियों से कानून के प्रति जागरूक रहने तथा समाज में न्याय एवं समानता की भावना को मजबूत करने का आह्वान किया।

प्राचार्य ने कार्यक्रम की सराहना की

कार्यक्रम की अध्यक्षता महाविद्यालय द्वारा की गई प्राचार्य डॉ. बृज गोपाल शर्मा इसे करें। उन्होंने सभी अतिथियों का स्वागत करते हुए कहा कि ऐसे कार्यक्रम विद्यार्थियों के लिए बहुत उपयोगी हैं।

उन्होंने आशा व्यक्त की कि भविष्य में भी विद्यार्थियों को ऐसी महत्वपूर्ण जानकारी मिलती रहेगी, ताकि वे समाज में जागरूकता फैलाने में अपनी भूमिका निभा सकें।

एनएसएस की भूमिका पर प्रकाश डाला

कार्यक्रम के दौरान एनएसएस कार्यक्रम अधिकारी डॉ. फरहाना राणा सभी अतिथियों एवं एएचटी टीम के सदस्यों को धन्यवाद दिया।

उन्होंने कहा कि इस तरह के जागरूकता कार्यक्रम छात्रों के लिए बेहद फायदेमंद होते हैं क्योंकि इससे उन्हें समाज में मौजूद समस्याओं और उनसे निपटने के तरीकों के बारे में जानकारी मिलती है।

उन्होंने ये भी कहा एनएसएस का उद्देश्य केवल सेवा कार्यों तक ही सीमित नहीं है।बल्कि युवाओं को जागरूक, जिम्मेदार और संवेदनशील नागरिक बनाना भी है।

कार्यक्रम में कई गणमान्य लोग उपस्थित थे

मुज़फ्फरनगर जागरूकता कार्यक्रम इस दौरान विधिक सेवा प्राधिकरण के प्रतिनिधि धनीराम और AHTU से हेड कांस्टेबल रूबी भी मौजूद थे.

इसके अलावा कार्यक्रम के सफल आयोजन में कॉलेज टीम का भी महत्वपूर्ण योगदान रहा। कार्यक्रम में विपीन कुमार, रश्मी तायल, दुष्यन्त मलिक, रोजी शर्मा, वन्दना, धीरज, सलेना और डॉ. विनीत कुमार कई शिक्षकों एवं कर्मचारियों ने सक्रिय भूमिका निभाई।

विद्यार्थियों ने जागरूकता फैलाने का संकल्प लिया

कार्यक्रम के दौरान विद्यार्थियों ने उत्साहपूर्वक भाग लिया और विभिन्न विषयों पर जानकारी प्राप्त की।

इस अवसर पर छात्रों ने मानव तस्करी और साइबर अपराध जैसे मुद्दों के खिलाफ समाज में जागरूकता फैलाने और सतर्क रहने का संकल्प भी लिया।

स्वामी कल्याण देव बघरा डिग्री कॉलेज में आयोजित इस जागरूकता कार्यक्रम ने छात्रों को सामाजिक और कानूनी मुद्दों के बारे में जागरूक करने का महत्वपूर्ण काम किया। विशेषज्ञों और अधिकारियों द्वारा दी गई जानकारी ने न केवल युवाओं को उनके अधिकारों और कर्तव्यों के प्रति जागरूक किया बल्कि उन्हें समाज में सकारात्मक बदलाव लाने के लिए भी प्रेरित किया। ऐसे कार्यक्रम भविष्य में भी युवाओं को जागरूक एवं सशक्त बनाने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाते रहेंगे।

UAE hotels promise stable prices despite Middle East travel chaos amid Iran vs US-Israel war

Air travel is being disrupted around the world due to Iran vs US-Israel war middle eastUAE hotels are moving to reassure guests that prices will remain stable and that assistance will be provided to travelers affected by flight cancellations and delays. Hospitality groups say they are focused on guest safety, flexible booking and maintaining confidence during one of the region’s most challenging aviation disruptions in years.The assurances come as airlines are canceling flights and governments imposing temporary airspace restrictions in parts of the Gulf. These disruptions have left thousands of travelers stranded or forced to change travel plans, prompting hotels to adapt their operations to support both stranded tourists and transit passengers in crisis.

united arab emirates Hotels prioritize security and guest assistance amid Iran vs. US-Israel war

Hotel operators across the UAE say the safety and well-being of guests remains their top priority as the regional situation evolves. Industry leaders emphasize that hospitality brands are closely monitoring developments and ensuring that hotel operations continue smoothly. Executives from major hotel groups say the hospitality industry is fundamentally about taking care of people, especially during unexpected disruptions. Many properties have introduced flexible booking policies, extended stays and assistance services for travelers whose flights were canceled or delayed. Hotels are working closely with authorities and airlines to accommodate stranded passengers, especially those who cannot immediately leave the country due to airspace closures or flight rescheduling.

Room rates remain stable in UAE despite travel chaos amid Iran vs US-Israel war

One key message from the UAE’s hospitality sector is clear: hotels are not taking advantage of the disruption to raise prices. Instead, many hotels have opted to keep room rates stable, reassuring guests that the industry is committed to transparency and fairness.

Travelers stranded in UAE getting aid as hotels freeze room rates amid Iran vs US-Israel war

Hospitality operators say it is important to maintain trust with travelers during times of uncertainty. This approach differs from the situation sometimes encountered during global travel disruptions, when increased demand can drive up hotel prices. However, in the UAE, many hotels have deliberately fixed rates and avoided sudden price increases to maintain confidence among visitors.

UAE government’s support for stranded travelers amid Iran vs US-Israel war

The UAE government has also taken steps to ensure that travelers affected by the crisis are taken care of. Officials announced that hotel stays, meals and assistance can be provided for passengers stranded due to canceled or delayed flights, ensuring that passengers are not left without accommodation or assistance.This coordinated response involves airlines, airports and hotel partners working together to manage passenger flow and ensure people have a safe place to stay while they wait for flights to resume. Such measures have helped the UAE maintain its reputation as a reliable travel hub even during times of regional instability.

UAE tourism faces sudden blow amid Iran vs US-Israel war

Despite a supportive response from the hospitality industry, the ongoing conflict has inevitably affected tourism throughout the region. Airspace closures and security concerns have led to an increase in travel cancellations and a slowdown in new hotel bookings, particularly from European and Asian markets.Industry analysts say the broader Middle East tourism sector could lose millions of dollars per day due to reduced travel demand and disrupted flights. In Dubai alone, thousands of holiday bookings have reportedly been canceled in the wake of the conflict, highlighting tourism’s sensitivity to geopolitical shocks.

UAE hotels boost stays to fill rooms amid Iran vs US-Israel war

To cope with the decline in international arrivals, many hotels have begun targeting local residents with discounted stay packages. Luxury properties in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are offering special promotions, dining deals and spa packages aimed at encouraging residents to spend weekends at city hotels. Some hospitality analysts say these offers are helping maintain occupancy levels while international travel remains uncertain. Such campaigns have become a common strategy in the UAE during periods of global disruption, including the pandemic years.

UAE’s reputation as a safe haven

Despite regional tensions, officials and industry leaders insist that the UAE remains a safe and stable destination for residents and visitors. The country has taken several steps to stabilize travel and maintain connectivity, including establishing controlled “safe air corridors” to gradually restore flights.These measures aim to balance security concerns with the need to keep international travel running through one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs. The current situation is not the first time that the UAE’s tourism sector has suffered a major blow. The industry previously demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since bounced back with record-breaking visitor numbers. In 2025, Dubai is expected to welcome approximately 20 million international visitors, reflecting the city’s strong global appeal and rapidly growing hospitality infrastructure. Industry experts believe the sector will eventually recover once regional tensions ease and air travel stabilizes.For now, the message from UAE hotels is reassuring. Hospitality operators say guests can expect stable pricing, flexible policies and strong support systems if travel disruptions impact their plans. In a region where geopolitical tensions could rapidly reshape travel patterns, the UAE’s hospitality industry is betting that trust, reliability and guest care will help it weather another storm in global tourism.

New Delhi: Amid concerns over the impact of the Iran war on India’s energy supplies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said his government is making no efforts to mitigate its impact on citizens and accused opposition parties of spreading fear to further their agenda at the cost of national interest.He said that no country is untouched by this global crisis and India is making efforts at various levels to deal with it, including efforts to deal with supply chain disruptions. He said at the NXT Summit, he has spoken to global leaders.On a day when Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi hit out at the government over the “LPG crisis” in the House, Modi hit back without naming anyone and said everyone, including political parties, has a role to play in ensuring that the country successfully deals with the crisis.He said, “Some people are trying to spread panic. They want to push their agenda. I do not want to give any political reaction right now, but I would like to say that they are exposing themselves to the people and causing huge loss to the country.” He stressed that India will definitely be able to deal with the challenges posed by the war.He listed several measures taken by his government since 2014 to build India’s alternative energy sources, reduce its dependence on oil, increase its petroleum storage capacity as well as ensure more people benefit from them.India used to have negligible storage capacity to deal with any crisis but now it has 5 million tonnes, while it has become one of the largest refining centers in the world. Before targeting his critics, he said, people’s aspirations have increased and their government welcomes them.“Many of my ‘well-wishers’ are hoping that I will collapse under the weight of expectations… their intentions are dishonest and their expectations will never be fulfilled,” he said, adding that he has people’s blessings. He asked the states to take strict action against those spreading rumors and black marketing.He said India will emerge from the crisis as successfully as it did during Covid, describing the present era as a period like never before.He compared the rise of the Indian economy to people’s enduring interest in cricket, saying that now they are curious to know about the latest details all the time. “If you want to be part of the future, you have to live in India,” he said. “Despite many global challenges, the world looks at India with great hope,” he said.

उत्तर प्रदेश समाचार: समाजवादी पार्टी के अध्यक्ष अखिलेश यादव ने उत्तर प्रदेश की राजधानी लखनऊ में शंकराचार्य स्वामी अविमुक्तेश्वरानंद सरस्वती से मुलाकात की. यह मुलाकात उनके कृष्णा नगर स्थित आवास पर हुई. इस दौरान समाजवादी पार्टी नेता और पूर्व सांसद अनु टंडन भी मौजूद रहीं. बैठक से पहले अखिलेश यादव ने दरवाजे पर मौजूद अन्य संतों का हाथ जोड़कर अभिवादन किया. इस मुलाकात के बाद अखिलेश यादव ने कहा कि वह शंकराचार्य से आशीर्वाद और मार्गदर्शन लेने आये हैं. उन्होंने यह भी कहा कि शंकराचार्य के आशीर्वाद से फर्जी संतों का अंत होने जा रहा है. इस मुलाकात को लेकर राजनीतिक गलियारों में भी चर्चा तेज हो गई है.

गौ-सम्मान जनजागरण अभियान के दौरान हुई बैठक
दरअसल, शंकराचार्य स्वामी अविमुक्तेश्वरानंद सरस्वती इन दिनों लखनऊ प्रवास पर हैं। उन्होंने यहां गो-प्रतिष्ठा जनजागरण अभियान शुरू किया है. बुधवार को हुई बैठक में उन्होंने गोरक्षा और गोसेवा के महत्व पर विस्तार से बात की. इस कार्यक्रम के बाद अखिलेश यादव उनसे मिलने उनके आवास पर पहुंचे. मुलाकात के दौरान दोनों के बीच कई मुद्दों पर चर्चा हुई. अखिलेश यादव ने कहा कि वह शंकराचार्य के आशीर्वाद और ज्ञान से प्रेरणा लेने आए हैं.

प्रदेश सरकार और सीएम योगी पर साधा निशाना
बैठक के बाद अखिलेश यादव ने प्रदेश की मौजूदा सरकार और मुख्यमंत्री योगी आदित्यनाथ पर भी निशाना साधा. उन्होंने कहा कि पिछले कुछ दिनों से राज्य में सरकार ठीक से नहीं चल रही है. अखिलेश यादव ने दावा किया कि हाल ही में एक बैठक में दोनों उपमुख्यमंत्रियों को बाहर जाकर जनता के बीच जाकर स्थिति को समझने की सलाह दी गई थी. उन्होंने तंज कसते हुए कहा कि अगर वे जनता के बीच जाएंगे तो चुनाव भी हार सकते हैं.

गैस और महंगाई के मुद्दे पर भी सवाल उठाए
अखिलेश यादव ने कहा कि समाजवादी पार्टी सरकार के दौरान गोवंश की सेवा और संरक्षण को लेकर कई अहम फैसले लिए गए और उनकी पार्टी आगे भी इस दिशा में काम करती रहेगी. उन्होंने एलपीजी उपलब्धता के मुद्दे पर केंद्र और राज्य सरकार को जिम्मेदार ठहराया. उन्होंने कहा कि गलत नीतियों के कारण लोगों को फिर से लकड़ी के चूल्हे पर खाना बनाना पड़ सकता है. इसके अलावा उन्होंने जम्मू-कश्मीर के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री फारूक अब्दुल्ला पर हमले की कोशिश पर भी प्रतिक्रिया दी. उन्होंने कहा कि ऐसी घटनाएं नहीं होनी चाहिए और नेताओं को पर्याप्त सुरक्षा मिलनी चाहिए.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the Iranian men’s national soccer team is welcome to participate in the 2026 World Cup, but he does not believe it is appropriate for them to remain there “for the sake of their lives and safety.”

“The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate for them to be there for the sake of their lives and safety,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Read the full story

Iran’s sports minister said on Wednesday it was not possible for his country’s athletes to participate after the US launched airstrikes against Tehran along with Israel. The attacks sparked region-wide conflict that shows no signs of abating.

The 48-team World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico, while Iran’s matches will be held in Los Angeles and Seattle.

An official withdrawal by Iran from the showpiece event, which has not yet taken place, would be the first in the modern era and football’s global governing body FIFA will be left with the immediate task of finding a replacement team.

Iran was not the only nation at the FIFA planning summit for World Cup participants held in Atlanta last week.

FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Late last year it awarded Trump — who has campaigned aggressively for the Nobel Peace Prize — its own inaugural peace prize.

Earlier this week, Australia granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian female soccer players after they sought asylum out of fear of persecution upon returning home after refusing to sing the national anthem at an Asia Cup match.

Trump had urged Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to grant asylum to members of the Iranian women’s team and said that if Australia would not do so, the US would.

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The shooter at Old Dominion University in Virginia has been identified as Mohammed Baylor Jallow, 36, a former Army National Guard soldier who was previously convicted of supporting ISIS. In 2017, Jallow was sentenced to 11 years in prison and five years of supervised release for attempting to provide material support to ISIS. Jalloh walked into a classroom inside ODU’s Constant Hall on Thursday and asked if it was an ROC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) classroom. As soon as someone confirmed, he started shooting and killing the professor. After Jalloh murdered the professor, who was a retired military officer, an ROTC cadet sprang into action and stabbed Jalloh to death. The shooting is being investigated as terrorism related. Jallow left the National Guard and became a follower of Anwar al-Awlaki, the slain leader of the branch of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. He once linked up with ISIL members during a six-month stay in Africa. The DOJ said that during a meeting during the trip, unknowingly observed by an FBI informant, Jalloh mentioned a desire to launch his own terrorist attack.Jalloh told the FBI source that he believed it was better to plan the attack during the month of Ramadan – which runs from mid-February to mid-March – because it was “100 percent the right thing” according to the DOJ.When he returned to the United States, Jalloh tried and failed to obtain firearms in North Carolina. He then went to a gun dealership in his native Northern Virginia, which sold him an assault rifle but it was deactivated before he could leave. Jalloh was arrested the day after purchasing the assault rifle and released in 2024. It is not known why his sentence was reduced. Jalloh was from Sierra Leone and a naturalized US citizen. FBI Director Kash Patel said, “Earlier today, an armed man opened fire at Old Dominion University, killing one person and injuring two others. The attacker has now died thanks to a group of brave students who stepped in and subdued him – with law enforcement’s quick response undoubtedly saving lives.” Patel said, “The FBI is now investigating the shootings as an act of terrorism. Our Joint Terrorism Task Force is fully engaged with local authorities and providing all necessary resources to the investigation.”

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has said that parents’ income cannot be the sole criterion for excluding a candidate from the OBC quota on the basis of being part of the ‘creamy layer’, stressing that the status and category of parents’ jobs should be considered, along with the income/assets test as an additional criterion for exclusion. Currently, the income limit to determine the ‘creamy layer’ is Rs 8 lakh per annum.The court’s judgment will have a major impact on the children of PSU and private sector employees as for them income was taken as the sole determining factor to decide on ‘creamy layer’ status, whereas in the case of children of government employees, their job category is the deciding factor. A bench of Justices PS Narasimha and R Mahadevan said that children of Group A and B government employees are barred from availing the benefits of OBC reservation due to their job status, but children of Group C and Group D employees are eligible to get the benefit of OBC reservation due to promotion and time loss, even if their income level exceeds the limit.The court rejected the Centre’s contention that it insisted on the income/asset test criteria and accepted the plea of ​​the aggrieved children of PSU employees, who had fought the case through their lawyer Shashank Ratnu for over a decade.An office memorandum issued by the Center in 1993 stated that the same principle would be applied to employees of public sector undertakings, banks, insurance organizations, universities and similar bodies holding equivalent or comparable posts. But “equality of positions” has not been carried out as contemplated in the OM, and a clarification letter was issued by the Government in 2004, making the income/asset test the sole criterion for PSU and private sector employees.The Supreme Court said that placing excessive emphasis on the 2004 letter, regardless of the status or category of service of the parents, would defeat the structural framework of exclusion envisaged under the 1993 OM.There cannot be double standards for children of government employees: Supreme CourtIt is also clear from a wide reading of the 1993 Office Memorandum along with the explanatory letter that salary income alone cannot be the sole criterion to decide whether a candidate falls in the creamy layer or not. Along with the position, the category of post to which the parents of the candidate belong is also required. Exclusions under Categories I to III of the Schedule are status-based rather than being entirely income-based, reflecting the policy understanding that advancement within the government service hierarchy reflects social progress independent of fluctuations in pay levels. The status of a candidate, whether he falls in the creamy layer of OBC or the non-creamy layer, cannot be decided on the basis of income alone,” Justice Mahadevan, who wrote the judgment, said. “Thus, determination of the creamy layer status solely on the basis of income group, without reference to the categories of posts and position parameters mentioned in the 1993 OM, is clearly untenable in law.”Highlighting that there cannot be different standards for children of government employees and others, the court said this would amount to discrimination which cannot be permitted.“Adopting an interpretation that disadvantages a section of the same backward class without rational justification would amount to treating similar people unequally and would thus become antithetical to equality… Keeping in mind the specific facts of the present cases, the logic adopted by the HC that treating similar employees of private entities and PSUs differently from government employees and their wards, while deciding their entitlement to reservation, would amount to hostile discrimination, certainly inspires the confidence of this court,” it said. Said.

मुजफ्फरनगर राजकीय पेंशनर्स कल्याण संगठन, मुजफ्फरनगर की जिला शाखा की मासिक बैठक भोपा रोड स्थित। पेंशन भवन में आयोजित की गई। इस बैठक में पेंशनभोगियों से संबंधित विभिन्न समस्याओं और मांगों पर विस्तार से चर्चा की गई।

बैठक की अध्यक्षता कर रहे हैं इंजीनियर बीआर शर्मा जबकि संचालन संस्था महासचिव इंजीनियर डीके गुप्ता इसे करें। बैठक में उपस्थित पेंशनभोगियों ने पेंशन संबंधी मुद्दों पर अपने विचार व्यक्त किये और सरकार से कई महत्वपूर्ण मांगें भी रखीं.

8वें वेतन आयोग में पेंशन संशोधन की मांग

बैठक इस दौरान वरिष्ठ उपाध्यक्ष डीपी जैन उन्होंने अपने विचार व्यक्त करते हुए कहा कि सरकार बनी आठवां वेतन आयोग पेंशन पुनरीक्षण को लेकर अभी कोई स्पष्ट आदेश नहीं दिए गए हैं।

उन्होंने कहा कि पेंशनभोगी संगठन की मांग है कि जिस तरह से वेतनभोगी कर्मचारियों के वेतन में संशोधन किया जाता है, उसी तरह किया जाना चाहिए. पेंशनधारियों की पेंशन भी पुनरीक्षित की जाए.

उन्होंने कहा कि पेंशनभोगी भी सरकारी सेवा का महत्वपूर्ण हिस्सा रहे हैं, इसलिए उनके हितों को भी बराबर ध्यान में रखा जाना चाहिए।

चिकित्सा प्रतिपूर्ति पर आयकर कटौती जारी करना

बैठक में यह मुद्दा भी उठा कि मेडिकल रीइंबर्समेंट पर इनकम टैक्स कटने से पेंशनर्स को परेशानी हो रही है.

डीपी जैन ने कहा कि संगठन इस समस्या को लेकर लगातार प्रयास कर रहा है और सरकार से अनुरोध किया जा रहा है चिकित्सा प्रतिपूर्ति पर आयकर कटौती बंद की जाए.

उन्होंने कहा कि बुजुर्ग पेंशनभोगियों के लिए स्वास्थ्य देखभाल का खर्च पहले से ही एक बड़ी चुनौती है, इसलिए इस तरह की कटौती उन पर अतिरिक्त वित्तीय दबाव डालती है।

देशभर में पेंशनर्स का आंदोलन चल रहा है

बैठक के दौरान अध्यक्ष मो इंजीनियर बीआर शर्मा कहा कि आठवें वेतन आयोग में पेंशन पुनरीक्षण को शामिल करने की मांग को लेकर पूरे देश में पेंशनभोगी संगठनों द्वारा आंदोलन चलाया जा रहा है।

उन्होंने कहा कि सभी संगठनों को पेंशनभोगियों के अधिकारों और हितों की रक्षा के लिए एकजुट प्रयास करना चाहिए।

उन्होंने उम्मीद जताई कि सरकार इस मुद्दे पर गंभीरता से विचार करेगी.

पेंशनधारियों से एकजुट रहने का आह्वान किया

बैठक में डिप्लोमा इंजीनियर वेलफेयर एसोसिएशन के अध्यक्ष इंजीनियर पीके गुप्ता ने भी अपने विचार साझा किये.

उन्होंने कहा कि भारत सरकार पेंशनर्स की समस्याओं पर विचार कर रही है, इसलिए पेंशनर्स को एकजुट रहकर अपनी मांगों को मजबूती से रखना चाहिए।

उन्होंने कहा कि एकजुटता से ही पेंशनभोगी अपने अधिकारों के लिए प्रभावी ढंग से आवाज उठा सकते हैं।

पुरानी पेंशन योजना लागू करने की मांग

पेंशनर्स बैठक मुजफ्फरनगर इस दौरान संगठन के महासचिव मो इंजीनियर डीके गुप्ता एक और अहम मांग उठाई.

उन्होंने कहा कि 2000 के बाद नियुक्त सरकारी कर्मचारियों के लिए पुरानी पेंशन योजना (ओपीएस)। लाभ मिलना चाहिए।

उन्होंने कहा कि नई पेंशन प्रणाली के कारण कई कर्मचारी अपने भविष्य की वित्तीय सुरक्षा को लेकर चिंतित हैं, इसलिए पुरानी पेंशन योजना को लागू करना जरूरी है.

दिवंगत साथियों को दी गई श्रद्धांजलि

बैठक के दौरान संगठन के दिवंगत साथियों की याद में दो मिनट का मौन रखकर श्रद्धांजलि दी गयी.

उपस्थित सभी सदस्यों ने दिवंगत साथियों की आत्मा की शांति के लिए प्रार्थना की।

कई सदस्य मौजूद थे

पेंशनर्स बैठक मुजफ्फरनगर संस्था के कई सदस्य उपस्थित रहे और अपने विचार साझा किये।

बैठक में सुभाष चंद्र अग्रवाल, योगेश कुमार, गजपाल शर्मा, प्रेमचंद, बृजमोहन अग्रवाल, उमेश चंद्र वर्मा, करन सिंह कई अन्य सदस्यों ने भी हिस्सा लिया.

बैठक के दौरान सभी सदस्यों ने पेंशनभोगियों के हितों से जुड़े मुद्दों पर एकजुट होकर आवाज उठाने का भी संकल्प लिया.

मुजफ्फरनगर में आयोजित राजकीय पेंशनर्स कल्याण संगठन की इस मासिक बैठक में पेंशनर्स की समस्याओं और मांगों को प्रमुखता से उठाया गया. आठवें वेतन आयोग में पेंशन संशोधन और पुरानी पेंशन योजना लागू करने जैसे मुद्दों पर चर्चा करते हुए पेंशनरों ने सरकार से सकारात्मक कदम उठाने की उम्मीद जताई. संगठन के पदाधिकारियों ने यह भी आश्वासन दिया कि पेंशनरों के अधिकारों और हितों के लिए निरंतर प्रयास जारी रहेंगे।