18 Lakh Maha Govt Staff Go On Strike For Old Pension Scheme After Failed Talks

To look into the demands of the employees, CM Shinde announced the constitution of a panel comprising senior bureaucrats which will give its report in a time-bound manner. 

Government employees in Maharashtra on strike demanding restoration of old pension scheme after failed talks with Shinde government. ( Image Source :PTI )

New Delhi: At least 18,000 government employees, including semi-government employees, in Maharashtra have gone on strike demanding restoration of the old pension scheme. After reaching no consensus during a meeting with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the government employees’ union today went on strike.

Paramedics working in hospitals run by the state government and civic bodies, sanitation workers, and teachers have also joined the strike at a time when examinations for classes 10 and 12 are underway. 

Employees raised slogans like "Only one mission, Restore Old Pension" outside government offices and hospitals.

Several unions of the Brihanmumbai Corporation under the 'Municipal Union' will join the protest at Azad Maidan at 3 pm today, though the BMC workers have not called for a strike but will put forward their demands including that of restoration of old pension scheme.

Cornering the BJP-led Centre and Maharashtra government on the issue, Congress demanded implementation of old pension scheme. 

"Be it the Central government or the Maharashtra government both are anti-farmer," said Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President, Nana Patole.

"The state government is not helping farmers, we want the demands of farmers to be fulfilled and old pension scheme to be implemented, else we will hold 'Kursi Choro Andolan' throughout the State," he added. 

CM Shinde assured the employees that they would be provided with financial security after retirement, but not satisfied with this, the government employees have decided to go on strike.  

Among the demands raised by the employees include: abolition of new pension scheme, equal pay for long service contract workers, all vacancies to be filled immediately, unconditional compassionate appointment, all allowances to be approved from the Centre, set retirement age at 60 years, end the new education policy, and immediately solve the problems of health workers. 

Meanwhile Shinde and Deputy Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis also appealed to the government employees not to go ahead with the strike, which can potentially paralyse the functioning of the administration.

To look into the demands of the employees, CM Shinde announced the constitution of a panel comprising senior bureaucrats which will give its report in a time-bound manner. 

Under the Old Pension Scheme, the pension amount is provided by the government, which increases its liability, whereas the New Pension Scheme has a contributory mechanism from the employee as well as the government.

While the BJP at the Centre has steadfastly refused to go back to the OPS, parties like the Congress have been batting for it.

Several employees' groups have been protesting across the country for reintroduction of the OPS.