PM Modi, CM Himanta urged to restore Old Pension Scheme

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: After withdrawing its proposed agitational programme following discussions with Assam's Finance Minister Ajanta Neog recently, the All Assam Government NPS Employees' Association (AAGNPSEA) on Wednesday sent a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma through the Deputy Commissioners of all districts of the State.

It may be mentioned that the AAGNPSEA, a platform of more than two lakh Government officers, teachers, police personnel and other employees, had earlier announced a strike on June 15, but subsequently cancelled it after receiving 'a positive response" to their demands from Finance Minister Ajanta Neog at a meeting held here on June 12.

The memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister and Chief Minister mentions that in the last three years, the association and its district committees had submitted more than a hundred memoranda to the State Government as well as the Central Government for accord of benefit to all the officers, teachers, police and employees of the State Government under the Assam Service (Pension) Rules, 1969.

Further, it mentions that in last few years more than 6,300 teachers, officers and other employees of the State Government retired from service and none of them are getting monthly pension of more than Rs 3,000 per month. "Surprisingly, more than 90 per cent of them get less than Rs 1,200 per month as pension. It is now a fact that the NPS has failed to protect the financial needs of the retired Government employees," the memorandum states.

The AAGNPSEA has requested thee Prime Minister and Chief Minister to take expeditious action for "restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for all Government employees for the greater interest and social security of all officers, teachers, police personnel and employees of the State Government".

Mahanta further directed all doctors and health care personnel to work round the clock from now on to tackle the situation created by floods.

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