New Delhi [India]: Employees of central and state government and public sector undertakings (PSUs) held a protest at Ramlila Maidan here on Sunday, demanding that the central government bring back the old pension scheme (OPS).
The protest named ‘Pension Shankhnaad Maharally’ was organized under the aegis of the National Movement for Old Pension Scheme (NMOPS) to put pressure on the Union government to nix the existing National Pension Scheme (NPS) and bring back the OPS.
“The old pension scheme has been closed in the country since 2004 and since 2005 in Maharashtra. We don’t want the NPS (New Pension Scheme), we don’t want this share market scheme. The Constitution also says the old pension is our right…”, Jitendra, one of the protesters who came from Pune, Maharashtra, told media.
Meanwhile, Opposition parties have supported the demands of the protesters and asked the BJP government at the Centre to bring back the OPS.
“Old pension is the right of the employees. State governments led by Congress have restored the old pension scheme,” Congress posted on X.
“Our policy regarding this is clear – employees must get their rights. Modi government should restore the old pension, and honor the workers who serve the country,” the post added.
States like Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh have announced the bringing back of OPS.
Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday that his party strongly supports bringing back OPS, adding that NPS (New Pension Scheme) is an “injustice against employees”.
“We strongly support the demand of govt employees to bring back OPS. NPS is an injustice against employees. We have implemented OPS in Punjab and have written to the Centre for implementing it for Del govt employees. Some other non-BJP govts have also implemented OPS,” Kejriwal posted on X.
