Assembly passes resolution to restore old pension scheme

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday warned the Modi-led government to restore the old pension scheme in the country within three months or else face the wrath of people in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener will also write to his counterparts in other states on the issue.

Ananya Panda

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 26

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday warned the Modi-led government to restore the old pension scheme in the country within three months or else face the wrath of people in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener will also write to his counterparts in other states on the issue.

This came on a day when the Delhi Assembly passed a resolution introduced by ruling legislator Ajay Dutt to abolish the National Pension System (NPS) and reinstate the old scheme in the national capital as demanded by the government servants.

“We have been told that retired government employees are getting meagre pensions as less as Rs 800 a month.... We would have restored all the old benefits to the beneficiaries of the pension scheme, but the money comes from the Centre and it is for it reinstate the old system. We can pass a resolution, and send it to the Centre for approval. I request the Centre to restore the old pension scheme and encourage other states to implement the same,” said Kejriwal during the special session of the Assembly while supporting the resolution on replacing the NPS.

Hours before the Assembly took up the pension issue during the special session, the CM addressed a rally organised by the All Teachers, Employees Welfare Association at Ramlila Maidan here and made the announcement.

“I want to request Modi jee that you cannot achieve nation-building without the welfare of government employees.... The AAP government could perform in the areas of education, health and power only because of the cooperation of its employees,” said Kejriwal.

The new pension system is applicable to all government employees with effect from January 1, 2004. Under the scheme, government employees contribute 10 per cent of their monthly basic pay and dearness allowance along with an equal contribution from their employer towards pension.

PM should resign: Kejriwal

Kejriwal on Monday kept PM Modi at the centre of his attack during the session called in the wake of chilly powder attack on the former inside the Secretariat, saying he should resign if he cannot ensure the security of CM. The session was extended by another day. The Assembly today passed a resolution, moved by minister Satyendar Jain, asking the Centre to bring the Delhi Police under the control of the Delhi government.