STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Sadou Asam Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) has announced its support to the padayatra from Khanapara to Dispur organized by the All Assam Government NPS Employees' Association (AAGNPSEA) on November 8 in support of the demand for replacing the NPS (National Pension System) with the OPS (Old Pension Scheme).
In a statement, SAKP president Dipen Sarma and secretary-general Dilip Kalita said that the Centre had introduced the NPS in January, 2004 and the State Government implemented in February, 2005. They said that the NPS has failed to protect the interests of all sections of government employees and consequently nationwide protests are taking place for restoration of the OPS. Five State Governments have already restored the OPS in the interests of their employees, Sarma and Kalita said.
While mentioning that the SAKP has been opposing the NPS since 2015, the duo said that they have held several rounds of discussions with the Chief Minister and recently sent a letter requesting fresh discussions.
They added that the SAKP will extend full support to the AAGNPSEA's agitation against the NPS.
Meanwhile, the All Assam Heads of the Department Ministerial Officers' Association and Coordination Committee of the Electricity Employees, Engineers and Pensioners have also extended their support to the AAGNPSEA's padayatra.
It may be mentioned that according to AAGNPSEA sources, over 50,000 teachers, police personnel and other officials will join the padayatra. Over 100 employee leaders across the country, 100 leaders from various State Government employees' and teachers' organizations and prominent personalities will participate in the padayatra.
AAGNPSEA president Achyutananda Hazarika has said that they have decided to demonstrate on the streets as the State Government is still reluctant to restore the OPS for the officers, teachers, police personnel and other employees of Assam. He mentioned that the employees of the State had showed their concern over the issue through a one-day non-cooperation demonstration on August 22 last, but as the Government is still avoiding the issue, they will stage another protest programme.
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