'World's Biggest Power Behind Them...': Uddhav Thackeray's Swipe At Maharashtra Govt Over Old Pension Scheme

Thackeray's remarks come a day after over 18,000 government employees, including semi-government staffers, went on strike in Maharashtra demanding restoration of the Old Pension Scheme.

Uddhav Thackeray

Source : ANI

New Delhi: Taking a dig at the Maharashtra government, former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray said despite the “world’s biggest power” being behind this government, which is in Delhi, there shouldn’t be any problem implementing the Old Pension Scheme.

“It is very unfortunate that they are coming so far for their demands. Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister should go and talk to them. World's biggest power is behind this government, which is in Delhi, so what is the problem they are facing in implementing the Old Pension Scheme,” news agency ANI quoted Thackeray as saying.

His remarks come a day after over 18,000 government employees, including semi-government staffers, went on strike in Maharashtra demanding restoration of the Old Pension Scheme.

Taking potshots at the state government over thousands of farmers taking to the streets to highlights their woes, especially onion prices, Thackeray said it is really unfortunate that the farmers are having to march from Nashik to Mumbai for their demands.

“Kisan Morcha is coming from Nashik to Mumbai. Attention should be paid to their protest. Even before this, farmers had taken out a march. During this, Aditya Thackeray went to meet them. But till now no one has gone to talk on behalf of this government,” Thackeray said.

Notably, farmers under the banner of All India Kisan Mahasabha launched a protest march to highlights their demands, including minimum support price for onions, appropriate prices for agricultural produce and milk products, electricity bill waiver, delay in implementation of the Forests Rights Act (FRA) and the grievances of the tribal people among other things. They will reach Mumbai on March 20.

Meanwhile, talking about the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government has announced a panel to resolve the issue.

“The issue can only be resolved through discussion, yesterday Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a three-member committee to submit recommendations report within three months. This will give us a long-term solution,” ANI quoted Fadnavis as saying.

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