STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: With the demand to scrap the National Pension System (NPS) and to restore the Old Pension Scheme, thousands of government employees assembled at the Veterinary Field, Khanapara to take out a Pad Yatra from Khanapara to Dispur in the city today. However, the police stopped them from marching forward.
Achyutananda Hazarika, president of the All Assam Government NPS Employees' Association, said that a definite pension was the right of a government employee.
"Government employees today demanded in one voice to restore the Old Pension System for the all officers, employees, teachers and police personnel of Assam. The government must respond. We are not sure whether the decision makers really understand the seriousness of the issue or they are waiting for a social crisis?" said Hazarika.
He further said, "Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and Punjab have already taken positive steps and decided to give benefits to their employees as per Old Pension System and we expect that Assam should be the 5th state of India and first BJP-led state to do so. We have a visionary Chief Minister in the State who is well versed on the issue and who is competent to take any decision for the welfare of the employees under the Government of Assam.
"It is crystal clear that National Pension System (NPS) has been implemented for government employees without giving heed to its impact on the retired life of the employees and the society at large. The impact of it has already been proved. Now is the right time to rollback from NPS and to restore OPS."
He appreciated the concern shown by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma towards the issue and expressed hope that it would be resolved soon. "However, if the government fails to address the issue, we will go for another series of demonstrations in December."
More than 120 teachers and employees' associations, along with various trade unions, have support All Assam Government NPS Employees' Association in all its activities. "We, the employees of Assam, cannot wait if the government remains silent. We are expecting positive steps by the government to fulfil our demand," said Hazarika.
Also Read: Sadou Asam Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) backs tomorrow's anti- NPS (National Pension System) stir
Also Watch: