JAMMU, Sep 18: The National Movement for Old Pension Scheme (NMOPS), J&K Chapter, has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to initiate concrete steps towards restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for government employees appointed on or after January 1, 2010, who are presently covered under the New Pension Scheme (NPS).
In a statement issued here, NMOPS J&K President Mohammed Ashraf Sheikh said the demand for restoration of OPS has remained pending for a long time and concerns the post-retirement financial and social security of a large number of government employees and their families. Official J&K records show that the Defined Contribution NPS was brought into effect from January 1, 2010.
Sheikh also referred to what he described as the National Conference election manifesto commitment on restoration of OPS and urged the Government to initiate a concrete process to address the demand. “We respectfully remind Omar Sahib of the commitment made in the manifesto regarding the Old Pension Scheme. We request the Chief Minister to fulfil that commitment and take concrete steps towards restoration of OPS for employees presently covered under NPS. The forthcoming Assembly Session provides an appropriate opportunity to take the issue forward through a clear and time-bound process,” he said.
He maintained that employees who have spent their working lives in public service require a dependable retirement framework. According to Sheikh, the pension issue is not limited to employment conditions but is also linked to the long-term financial security and dignity of employees and their families after retirement.
NMOPS J&K urged the Government to take up the issue on priority during the forthcoming Assembly Session and consider appropriate legislative, administrative and policy measures, as applicable, to address the concerns of employees covered under NPS.
The organisation also sought meaningful dialogue between the Government and employee representatives so that the concerns of NPS employees can be examined within the applicable constitutional, legal and administrative framework.
Sheikh reiterated that NMOPS J&K would continue to pursue the pension issue through democratic, peaceful and constitutional means and place the concerns of employees before the Government and other appropriate forums.
The organisation expressed hope that the Government would respond positively to the long-standing demand and initiate a concrete process for considering restoration of OPS. J&K Government records also show that various retirement-related benefits have been extended to employees covered under NPS, including death-cum-retirement gratuity under specified provisions.