AAP govt slammed for failing to implement Old Pension Scheme

Employees from several Punjab government departments, under the banner of the Punjab Mulazam and Pensioner Sanjha Front, staged a district-level protest rally in Amritsar on Wednesday against the AAP government’s alleged failure to implement the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) despite its earlier notification.

Protesters expressed anger and disappointment with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of going back on his word after issuing what they termed a “paper notification” three years ago. Members of the front burnt an effigy of the Punjab Government and took out a protest march from the DC Complex.

Gurbinder Singh Khaira, Majha Zone Convener of the front, said that the people of Punjab had placed their faith in the AAP government hoping it would resolve long-pending demands. “There is deep resentment among employees over the non-implementation of the old pension. Despite the notification dated November 18, 2022, not a single NPS employee has received the benefit of OPS even after three years. The announcement has remained confined to advertisements and public statements,” he said.

Khaira alleged that Finance Minister Harpal Cheema and the Cabinet Sub-Committee on employee affairs were preparing to impose the Central NPS scheme under the pretext of the state’s poor financial condition. He also condemned the Modi-led Central Government for its “oppressive policy” of financially pressuring states that attempt to restore the old pension.

The rally saw participation from government school teachers, members of the Master Cadre Union, and employees from nearly 50 different departments.

In a joint statement, DMF state president Jarmanjit Singh and Kirti Kisan Union state leader Jatinder Singh Chhina announced that after the ongoing district-level protests, a state-level agitation would be launched in collaboration with like-minded organisations. They also declared participation in the national rally of the NMOPS (National Movement for Old Pension Scheme) scheduled to be held in Delhi on November 25.

The issue of restoring OPS has haunted the AAP government since last year. Though the Mann-led Cabinet approved its revival in November 2022, the move has remained “on paper,” prompting employee unions to stage repeated demonstrations, including during by-elections in 2024.

A broader network of employees from over 50 departments, under the Purani Pension Bahali Sangharsh Committee (PPBSC), had also launched a door-to-door campaign last year demanding restoration of the old pension from January 1, 2004.