Guwahati, 25th September: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) Employees Union has escalated its nationwide protests, advocating for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme. This movement gained momentum with a motorbike procession that commenced at Ledo Railway Station in Assam and made its way to Katihar Junction, passing through several railway stations before reaching Kokrajhar on Wednesday. The initiative is part of a broader campaign aimed at highlighting the perceived inadequacies of the New Pension Scheme (NPS).
At Kokrajhar railway station, union members gathered in large numbers for an awareness program designed to rally support among railway employees and the public. The procession, which began in Basugaon, Chirang, attracted hundreds of participants, reflecting widespread discontent with the NPS among railway workers.
Leading the procession were prominent figures from the NFR Employees Union, including General Secretary Munin Saikia, Joint General Secretaries Debashis Mukherjee and Rubul Barua, and Fekiragram Branch Secretary Shankar Roy. They underscored that the New Pension Scheme fails to provide adequate benefits for railway employees, especially in comparison to the Old Pension Scheme, which offered more robust financial security upon retirement.
“We are fighting for our future and the future of all railway employees. The New Pension Scheme undermines the welfare of workers, and we demand that the government restore the Old Pension Scheme, which ensured financial stability for employees after retirement,” stated Munin Saikia, emphasizing the urgency of their cause.
The protest has resonated across numerous railway stations nationwide, reflecting the union’s sustained efforts to pressure the government into reevaluating its pension reform policies. The motorbike procession symbolizes solidarity within the union, as it traversed key railway hubs to raise awareness about their demands.
The NFR Employees Union remains committed to its nationwide protests, pledging to continue demonstrations in the coming days until their demands for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme are met.
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