Shimla, Apr 10,
A recent video that has gone viral on social media has brought to light deep internal discord within the Himachal Pradesh Pensioners Welfare Association. The footage shows a heated altercation among office bearers on Mall Road in Shimla, near Himani Restaurant, highlighting a growing rift between the association’s Shimla unit and its state leadership.
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Video Link:https://www.facebook.com/share/v/16CGTXK3t1/
The confrontation was led by Madan Sharma, the newly appointed President of the Association’s Shimla unit, along with his supporters, who clashed with officials loyal to state-level President Shri Atmaram Sharma. Though Atmaram Sharma was not present at the scene, his close aides were subjected to intense criticism.
The root of the conflict lies in allegations that Atmaram Sharma has overstayed his term, which reportedly ended on March 27, 2025. Members of the dissident faction accuse him of making unilateral and unconstitutional decisions, including expelling certain members for their alleged political affiliations with opposition leaders.
“This is nothing short of dictatorship. His term ended, yet he continues to function as if he has the mandate of the general house,” said Madan Sharma. He added that the Shimla unit has now launched a campaign to mobilize district units across the state to demand immediate elections.
The Shimla unit has called for a general house meeting within a week, during which a resolution is expected to be tabled to revoke Atmaram Sharma’s membership. Serious allegations of financial irregularities have also surfaced, with the dissident group demanding full disclosure of the association’s accounts within a week. They have warned that failure to comply will lead to a formal complaint with the police.
Amid the leadership tussle, the real concerns of thousands of pensioners across the state continue to be sidelined. Long-standing demands, including pending dearness relief, gratuity revisions, and arrears, have remained unresolved since 2016. Though some pensioners have secured favorable court orders, the state government has sought a six-month extension to implement them, further delaying relief.
With elections on the horizon and credibility at stake, the pressure is mounting on the association to put its house in order and refocus on the core issues affecting its members.
