No hasty decision on OPS: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema said the state government would not take a hasty decision on implementing the old pension scheme (OPS) for government employees.

Speaking during the Budget discussion in the Assembly, he said experiences of other states that introduced the OPS would be carefully studied before taking a final call.

“Chhattisgarh, which implemented the old pension scheme, has withdrawn it, while Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan are facing financial difficulties after rolling it out,” he said.

The minister said a committee headed by the Chief Secretary had been constituted to examine the issue.

He said the committee would take a decision only after detailed deliberations to ensure the state did not take a wrong financial path.