Guwahati, 9th February: The Assam government is actively engaging in discussions with its employees who are advocating for the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pijush Hazarika has acknowledged the concerns raised by employees, particularly those with shorter service durations who may not benefit substantially under the current National Pension System (NPS).
The issue was raised in the House by Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) legislator Ramendra Narayan Kalita, emphasizing the potential advantages of reinstating the OPS for workers.
In response, Hazarika highlighted that the NPS was formulated based on the provisions of the OPS. He noted that the new system includes provisions for gratuity payment and family pension, similar to the OPS.
Under the NPS, employees contribute 10% of their basic salary and dearness allowance to a pension fund, matched by an equal contribution from the government. Upon retirement, 60% of the accumulated amount is received by the employee, with the remaining 40% used to purchase an annuity for pension. In contrast, the OPS calculates pensions based on the employee’s last drawn salary.
Assam’s finance minister, Ajanta Neog, has held meetings with representatives from employee organizations to address their demands for reverting to the OPS. The government is actively considering the grievances and continuing discussions to find a resolution.
The retirement age for government employees in Assam is typically 60 years, except for teaching staff in medical, engineering, and agricultural universities, who can retire at 62 years. These ongoing negotiations underscore the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of its workforce regarding post-retirement financial security.
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