Guwahati: Teachers and employees in Assam will observe Black Day on February 1 and go on a one-day strike on February 10 in support of the restoration of the Old Pension System in the state.
This was stated by President of All Assam Government NPS Employees Association, Achyutananda Hazarika on January 24.
The president of All Assam Government NPS Employees Association remarked during a press conference at the Guwahati Press Club that the current administration’s claims that it is public welfare, reform, and development oriented have not been proven in the case of government teachers and employees.
He claimed that the state employees’ concern is for their post-retirement financial insecurity.
“The 9,000 teachers and employees who have retired under the NPS are before everyone’s eyes. The demand for restoration of Old Pension System made by more than 30,000 peoples on behalf of the work force of Assam Govt. on November 8, 2022 seems to have been treated as insignificant like other requests,” he said.
“Today, the working class of Assam is determined to ensure its future security interests. We are now ready to unite and fight until the OPS are restored. As 99% part of the Govt. machinery, we demand the goodwill of the government. If we are expected to do 100% work and efficiency, our demands must be given proper weight,” he added.
According to Achyutananda Hazarika, government workers are an essential component of both society and the administrative system. The state and the nation have advanced thanks to them. Their main focus has been on improving society and civilization as a whole. After they retire, the government will be in charge. The Indian civilisation and culture are what govern this. He claimed that Assam’s police, teachers, and other staff have been led into a dark future by the NPS system, which is in opposition to Indian culture, civilisation, and legacy.
“Therefore, the government should immediately abolish the NPS system and secure the retirement of all teachers, officers, police and employees of Assam through the old pension system. The governments of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Punjab as well as Himachal Pradesh have already restored old pensions to give justice to the employees of these states. Today, it is clear that the retirement security of the employees depends on the will of the Government of Assam,” he added.
It needs to be noted that a march was planned for November 11, 2022, calling for the NPS system to be abolished, the old pension system to be reinstated, and other retirement-related issues to be resolved. More than 30,000 teachers, officials, and workers gathered in Khanapara to call on the government to address the problem despite tremendous pressure from the administration.
“It is regrettable that the government has not taken any positive steps on the demand despite the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Assam personally expressing his sympathy to the organization and advocating dialogue on the issue. The employees are unhappy with the government’s recent role. We seek an immediate positive response from the Government of Assam in the interest of the working class of Assam. We have decided to launch a strong democratic movement as the attitude of the government towards the demands of the working class of Assam is not satisfactory at all. The state employees will continue their agitation until the government cancels the NPS system and reintroduces the old pension system,” Hazarika said.