Employees to hold protest over pension, DA issues on April 2

The Sarv Karamchari Sangh, Haryana, has given a call for gate meetings on April 2 to mark resentment against the Centre’s decisions related to pension and dearness allowance (DA) of employees.

In a press release, the sangh stated that a legislation regarding validation of the CCS (Pension) Rules and Principles for expenditure on pension liabilities from the Consolidated Fund of India was passed in the Lok Sabha on March 25 as part of the Finance Bill, 2025. According to it, employees retiring by December 31 this year and former pensioners have been deprived of the benefits of the Eighth Pay Commission. Meanwhile, on the same day, the salaries of the MPs in the Lok Sabha were increased by 24%, the minimum pension was increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 31,000 and daily allowance was enhanced from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500.

In a joint statement, sangh state president Dharamvir Phogat, general secretary Naresh Kumar, Haryana School Teachers’ Union president Prabhu Singh, general secretary Rampal Sharma, Mechanical Workers’ Union general secretary Jarnail Singh and HEMSA general secretary Hitendra Sihag stated that the passing of the pension-related Bill exposed the government as to how accountable it was towards the public.

According to sangh members, the 2% DA was a cruel joke played on employees and pensioners. The sangh demanded withdrawal of the Unified Pension Scheme slated for implementation on April 1 and restoration of the old pension scheme.

Sangh general secretary Naresh Kumar said “The state government should give at least 6% DA to its employees. A separate pay commission for the state should be constituted and an interim assistance of Rs 5,000 be given to employees till then.”

“Employees will hold protest gate meetings in their respective departments on April 2. A meeting of the state executive will be held on April 6 to decide on further course of action,” he added.