Old Pension Scheme Rally Sees Congress And AAP Backing Amid Large Gathering At Delhi's Ramleela Maidan

The Congress party has voiced its support for the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme, echoing the demands of protestors at New Delhi's Ramleela Maidan.

They emphasize that the old pension is an employee's right and highlight that several Congress-led state governments have already reinstated it, emphasizing the importance of employees receiving their rightful benefits.

Additionally, INC's post on X (formerly Twitter) calls on the Narendra Modi government to recognize and honor the dedication of workers who serve the nation by restoring the old pension.

On 1 October, a significant gathering of protestors convened at Ramleela Maidan in Delhi for the 'Pension Shankhanaad Rally,' organized by the National Movement for Old Pension Scheme (NMOPS).

NMOPS leader Vijay Kumar Bandhu explained that their goal is to exert pressure on the Central government to reintroduce the Old Pension Scheme, thereby easing the burden on state governments.

Later in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed his support for the movement, denouncing the New Pension Scheme (NPS) as unjust.

Kejriwal strongly backed the government employees' demand to bring back the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and highlighted the success of implementing OPS in Punjab.

Previously, government employee pensions, both on the centre and state level, were set at 50% of their last drawn basic pay.

The Old Pension Scheme (OPS), which existed before the introduction of the new pension system in 2004, offered retirees a guaranteed or 'defined' benefit, making it known as a 'Defined Benefit Scheme.'

Several states, including Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh, have already announced their decision to switch back to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) from the New Pension Scheme (NPS).

In a recent incident, members of the Samajwadi Party walked out of the assembly after their request to reinstate the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for state government employees was rejected by the government.

SP MLA Lalji Verma inquired whether the state government of Uttar Pradesh has assessed the differences between the old and new pensions and the corresponding amounts employees would receive.

Verma also pointed out that the Government of India has decided to grant the old pension to employees whose positions were advertised before 2003, urging Uttar Pradesh to consider a similar approach.