State employees have given mixed response on Integrated Pension Scheme (UPS). Some employees welcomed this move of the government, while some are still adamant on the demand of implementing the old pension scheme in its original form. They believe that OPS is more beneficial than UPS.
Attempt to divide us, will continue the fight
National Old Pension Restoration Joint Front has rejected the Integrated Pension Scheme. The organization says that NPS personnel do not accept any other option except restoration of old pension. National President BP Singh Rawat said that NPS personnel were expecting that the decision to restore old pension would be taken, but the government has disappointed NPS personnel. Said that employees do not want improvement in pension scheme but old pension.
UPS will not be accepted
Provincial General Secretary Sitaram Pokhriyal said that the government has only tried to divide the employees by bringing UPS. UPS will not be accepted under any circumstances. Employees want only and only old pension, for which the struggle will be intensified. Provincial IT Cell in-charge Awadhesh Semwal said that the fight of the employees has never been for amendment in NPS. The demand of the employees has been restoration of old pension, for which the struggle will be taken forward afresh.
50 percent assured pension should be given on 20 years of service
Uttarakhand Secondary Teachers Association has placed its demand regarding the announcement of giving the benefit of Integrated Pension Scheme (UPS) to the employees of New Pension Scheme (APS) by the Central Government. State President Swatantra Kumar Mishra says that in this scheme, 50 percent assured pension should be given on 20 years of service instead of 25 years of service. Apart from this, all the benefits should be given on retirement like Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
Dearness allowance should be given along with minimum pension
State Corporation Employees Officers Federation has welcomed the Integrated Pension Scheme. State President Dinesh Gosain said that New Pension Scheme (NPS) was implemented from 2004. Through this minimum pension scheme, the employees were getting pension of Rs 1500 to Rs 3000, which was very less. Integrated Pension Scheme is a big victory for the employees. He said that dearness allowance should be given along with minimum pension, which is necessary for the social security of long-term interests of the employees. EPS pension -95 of the employees of public sector corporations, bodies, undertakings is also very less, Rs 1500 to Rs 4000. Employees are demanding its increase. Like central employees, it should be made at least Rs 10 thousand.
Will continue the fight for the old pension
State President of Old Pension Restoration National Movement, Jeetmani Panyuli said that it is the result of the struggle of the employees that today the central government has to take a decision regarding pension. He said that employees should get 50 percent of the basic salary as dearness allowance along with medical reimbursement and all other benefits related to old pension. The struggle will continue until this demand is met. We request the government to implement the old pension scheme in the interest of the employees.