Assam: Government staff demand old pension system, launch statewide stir

GUWAHATI: A statewide stir by nearly three lakh government employees demanding the implementation of the old monthly pension scheme instead of National Pension System (NPS) crippled work at Assam government offices, educational institutions and other government establishments was paralyzed on Monday.
The NPS was implemented in the state in February, 2005.
Out of the 4.5 lakh state government employees, over 1.5 lakh are enrolled in the NPS.
The agitation was spearheaded by All Assam Govt NPS Employees’ Association (AAGNPSEA), which received support from Sadou Asom Karmachari Parishad (SAKP), the most powerful employees’ organization of the state. Thousands of teachers recruited through Teachers’ Eligibility Test (TET) resorted to class boycott in which employees of other sectors took out protest marches in district headquarters. More than 60 teachers’ and employees’ associations supported the protest.
“Government employees, teachers, officers, police personnel are dedicated to the welfare of society and they spend their most productive and energetic time for the people of the state only. But the retired employees, under NPS, get only a consolation amount per month after retirement from the NPS system which cannot be termed as monthly pension. A definite pension is a right for a government employee and it should be honoured,” said Achyutananda Hazarika, president of AAGNPSEA.
As the state government employees have demonstrated before the government in one voice to restore the old pension system for the all officers, employees, teachers, police personnel of Assam, Hazarika said this is the beginning of a bigger agitation programme.
“The state governments in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Punjab have already taken positive steps and decided to give benefits to their employees as per the old pension system and we expect that Assam should be the fifth state of India and first BJP-led government in this regard,” he added.