NPS employees hold fast over OPS restoration

Government employees under the New Pension Scheme (NPS) observed a one-day fast at the tehsil complex in Phagwara, demanding the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). The protest was organised under the joint banner of the National Movement for Old Pension Scheme (NMOPS) and the CPF Employees’ Union, with large number of teachers and government workers participating in the demonstration.

Prominent among those who sat on the fast were Jasbir Saini, Jasbir Bhangu, Daljit Saini, Parminder Pal Singh, Ravinder Kumar, Rachhpal Singh, Paramjit Chauhan, Rattan Lal, Shaminder Pal Singh, Meena Prabhakar, Manjinder Kaur, Khushdeep Kaur, and Sonia Soni, among others. The protest saw a large turnout, reflecting the growing unrest among employees working under the NPS.

Addressing a gathering, teacher leaders warned that if their demand for OPS is ignored, a massive rally will be held at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 25. They strongly criticised both Central and state governments for paying mere lip service to the cause of employees, while denying them actual social security in the form of a guaranteed pension.

They alleged that the Punjab Government has failed to implement its own notification issued three years ago regarding the restoration of the OPS. The half-baked notification has proven to be nothing more than a symbolic gesture.

The protesters also lashed out at the Centre, accusing it of imposing the New Pension Scheme (NPS) and diverting employees’ hard-earned savings into market-driven instruments, favoring corporate interests at the cost of workers' welfare.

Originally scheduled for September 5, the fast was postponed due to widespread loss of life and property caused by recent floods. It was rescheduled for October 1 to coincide with a broader call to action across Punjab.

The protest also received widespread support from various employee and pensioner associations, including the SCBC Teachers’ Union, Government Teachers’ Union, Computer Teachers’ Union, Punjab Pensioners’ Welfare Association, Government Pensioners’ Union, Master Cadre Union, and Bhartiya Kisan Union Doaba.