Employees to stage stir over National Pension System on August 22 in Assam

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The All Assam Government NPS Employees' Association (AAGNPSEA) has announced that over five lakh employees of the State Government will observe a one-day total non-cooperation programme on August 22 to press their demand for scrapping the National Pension System (NPS) and restoring of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

Addressing the media here on Thursday, AAGNPSEA president Achyutananda Hazarika said that in case no response is forthcoming after the strike, the association will resort to a day-long 'padayatra' in September where more than 50,000 employees, including teachers, officers will walk in support of their demand for restoration of the OPS. The 'padayatra' will also see the participation of over 200 members of workers' union leaders from across the country and leaders from various State Government employees/teachers' organizations along with prominent personalities of the State.

Hazarika said, "After restoration of Old Pension System (OPS) for the State Government employees in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Punjab, it is clear that restoration of OPS is not an impossible task for the Government of Assam. It is also amply clear that the National Pension System has been implemented for Government employees without giving heed to its impact on the retired life of the employees and the society at large. Now it is the right time for the Government to prove whether they genuinely care about the employees or not."

He said that the employees of the State Government, under the banner of AAGNPSEA, have been trying to convince the decision-makers of the State but their response is still lukewarm. Hence, the employees have no option left but to announce a series of protests/demonstrations, he added.

Hazarika mentioned that they had announced agitational programmes for June 15 and July 2 last, but these were postponed after they were invited for a discussion by Finance Minister Ajanta Neog and subsequently most of the issues were placed before the Government in the discussion held on June 12. He added that the Government had assured the representatives of the association of favourable action for the welfare of the employees and announced setting up of a high-power committee to look into ways of solving the problem. Unfortunately, he said, the minutes finally signed and issued was not as per the decisions taken in the meeting and the reaction of the association was also placed before the Government in due time.

Hazarika said, "But the Government is still silent. We are confused how the decision was changed after declaration by the Finance Minister."

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