Guwahati: Series of agitation chalked out demanding restoration of old pension scheme

Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI: The Jaoutho Mancha, a conglomerate of labourers, teachers, and employees' associations, has chalked out a series of agitations demanding the state government restore the old pension scheme (OPS) in the state.

Under the aegis of the All Assam Government NPS Employees' Association, a joint meeting was convened at Khanapara here on Saturday. The meeting took a slew of resolutions, including (i) the employees of the state government to observe Black Day on February 1, 2025, (ii) staging a dharna during the budget session of the state assembly, and (iii) holding the biggest-ever congregation of employees on May 1, 2025.

Speaking to the media, All Assam Government NPS Employees' Association general secretary Apurba Sarma strongly raised the common demand of government labourers, teachers, employees, and every well-wisher of society that the state government should immediately cancel the NPS (National Pension System) and restore the old pension scheme (OPS) in the state.

He said, "Even as the central government has already announced the introduction of the UPS (Unified Pension Scheme) in place of the NPS, the state government is silent on the issue. We have decided to make our agitation demanding the restoration of the old pension scheme more vigorous."

All Assam Government NPS Employees' Association president Achyutananda Hazarika said, "The NPS is a cause of concern for employees. The employees of the state have long been demanding the replacement of the NPS with the OPS for their secured life post-retirement. However, without responding positively to this demand of the employees, the government has been pushing the employees towards an uncertain post-retirement life. In such an uncertain and insecure situation, there should be a change in our mode of rendering services to the public. The state government has to feel the fear of the employees."

Hazarika further said, "The joint meeting held on Saturday raised a strong demand for post-retirement financial security for the state government employees. If the state government and the political power remain apathetic to our demands even after the agitations, the public of the state will have to play a decisive role. We have already started an awareness drive among the people of the state in various regions."

The organizations that sent their representatives to the meeting on Saturday are the All Assam Head of the Departments' Organization, Association, All Assam District Administrative Employees' Association, Assam Secondary Teachers and Employees' Association, Assam College Employees' Association, All Assam MB School Teachers' Association, Sadou Asom Sanmilito Shikshak Mancha, All Assam Directorate Employees' Association, Cotton University Employees' Association, All Assam Fourth Grade Government Employees' Association, All Assam Graduate Teachers' Association, and the All Assam Veterinary Field Assistant Employees' Association. Apart from these, 33 organizations of the state have also extended their support to this cause of the state government employee.

 Also Read: SASSAM backs protest seeking restoration of Old Pension Scheme in Assam

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