Dharna staged to demand restoration of Old Pension Scheme in Guwahati

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: With the demand to scrap the National Pension System (NPS) and to restore the Old Pension Scheme, activists of the All Assam Government NPS Employees Association, led by president Ashyutanada Hazarika and general secretary Apurba Sarma, staged a symbolic dharna at Chachal in Guwahati on Wednesday.

"Government employees are the backbone of the government machinery. They undertake the key role to deliver the services for the greater interest of the people of the State. They also play a vital role in conduct of the election process but most of the government employees show reluctance in casting their votes. As a result, political parties willfully avoid solving the genuine issues of employees. But the scenario will be different in the ensuing year 2023. For the greater interest of the welfare of government employees, officers, teachers, employees, police personnel and workers of the State will cast their votes in all elections now," said president Ashyutanada Hazarika and general secretary Apurba Sarma.

They further said, "In this regard, All Assam Government NPS Employees Association will start an awareness campaign in 2023 with due permission of the Election Commission of India. The main demand of the association is to restore the Old Pension System for all government employees. While doing so, we will take all possible democratic steps maintaining the code of conduct as laid down for a government employee."

"For social security to the government employees, restoration of Old Pension Scheme is the only option. As part of a series of democratic agitation programmes, on November 8, more than 50,000 employees, more than 120 employee organizations and dignitaries of the State demanded the government to restore the Old Pension System in the State. Though the government shows concern over the issue, till date no concrete steps have been taken to fulfil the demand. The deadline given by the agitating employees and organization ended on November 30 and government action is still awaited. As such the employees of the State have decided to start the next level of democratic agitation from January 2023 onwards. Today's programme marks the ceremonial launch of the main demonstration," they said.

Also Read:   Assam Government employees stage protest to demand restoration of Old Pension Scheme

Also Watch: