New Delhi: A section of government employees of Assam, demanding the re-introduction of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), on Wednesday said they will intensify their agitation if it is not met. The All Assam Government NPS Employees' Association (AAGNPSEA) organised a rally in Guwahati, in which thousands of state employees participated, news agency PTI reported.
"The NPS should be abolished and the OPS must be restored for government employees. This is the common call of teachers, workers and all employees of the state", PTI quoted AAGNPSEA president Achyutananda Hazarika as saying. The organisation launched a series of programmes on January 20 to press for their demands, and it was concluded with the mass gathering in the state capital, he further added.
Hazarika also said that the main target of the progarmmes was to make common people aware on the negative impact of NPS and the necessity of OPS for the greater interest of society. He claimed that more than 10,000 people gathered and raised their common voice towards the restoration of OPS, reported PTI.
AAGNPSEA General Secretary Apurba Sarma expressed dissatisfaction with the government's lack of response to their demands. "The government must understand the pain of the working class. There is a strong demand that the employees must be provided with financial security during their retirement", PTI quoted Sarma as saying.
He also warned that if the government and political forces remain indifferent, the people would take decisive action in the upcoming elections. The response of the government will determine the direction, pace and intensity of the agitation in the coming days, he added.
"Most of the people who retired under the NPS are getting pensions of Rs 500, Rs 600, Rs 1,000 or a maximum of Rs 3,000 per month", PTI quoted Hazarika as saying.
Under the OPS, a government employee receives a monthly pension equivalent to 50% of their last drawn salary without the need for additional contributions. In contrast, the NPS requires employees to contribute 10% of their basic salary plus dearness allowance, with the government making a matching contribution. The funds are then invested in approved pension funds, and returns are subject to market fluctuations, he added.