Assam Government Employees Intensify Agitation for Restoration of Old Pension Scheme

Guwahati, January 31: A section of Assam government employees, under the banner of the All Assam Government NPS Employees Association (AAGNPSEA), organized a rally in Guwahati on Wednesday, demanding the re-introduction of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the abolition of the New Pension Scheme (NPS).

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Thousands Participate in Rally

Thousands of state employees participated in the rally, expressing their discontent with the NPS and demanding the restoration of the OPS. AAGNPSEA president Achyutananda Hazarika stated that the NPS should be abolished and the OPS must be restored for government employees, as it is the common call of teachers, workers, and all employees of the state.

Awareness Campaign Launched

Hazarika informed that the organization had started a series of programs on January 20 to press for their demands, culminating in the mass gathering in the state capital. The primary objective of these programs was to create awareness among the general public about the negative impact of the NPS and the necessity of the OPS for the greater interest of society.

Government's Indifference

AAGNPSEA general secretary Apurba Sarma expressed disappointment over the government's lack of response to their calls to abolish the NPS and provide retirement security to employees through the OPS. He emphasized the need for the government to understand the pain of the working class and provide them with financial security during their retirement.

Threat of Decisive Action

Sarma warned that if the government and political forces continue to remain indifferent to the issue, the people will take decisive action in the upcoming elections. He stressed that the employees have already begun the process of raising awareness among the people in every part of the state, and the government's response will determine the direction, pace, and intensity of the agitation in the coming days.

Pension Disparity under NPS

Hazarika had earlier highlighted that most of the people who retired under the NPS are receiving meager pensions, ranging from Rs 500 to a maximum of Rs 3,000 per month. He also mentioned that Assam has around 5 lakh government employees, out of which approximately 3.5 lakh are under the NPS.

Key Differences between OPS and NPS

Under the OPS, a government employee receives a monthly pension equivalent to 50% of their last drawn salary without any contribution from the employee. In contrast, under the NPS, an employee contributes 10% of their basic salary plus dearness allowance, with the government making a matching contribution. The money is invested in pension funds approved by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), and the returns are market-linked.

The demand for the restoration of the OPS and the abolition of the NPS has gained momentum among Assam government employees, who feel that the NPS does not provide adequate retirement security. The AAGNPSEA's rally and awareness campaign reflect the growing discontent and frustration among employees, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to their demands.