Statewide stir for old pension scheme from Jan 25: Ex-MP

Nurpur, January 15

Former Kangra Lok Sabha MP Rajan Sushant continued with his indefinite dharna for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) at Fatehpur for the 300th day today.

Sushant addressed mediapersons here and announced to intensify the stir against the New Pension Scheme (NPS) by launching a statewide mass awareness and a signature campaign from January 25. Office-bearers and members of the state and Kangra district executive committee of the NPS Employees Association were also present.

Sushant said that a similar dharna would be started at Dharamsala district headquarters. The then BJP-led Union Government had issued a notification for the NPS in 2003 and the Virbhadra Singh government had enforced it in 2006. He lamented that the BJP as well as the Congress had spoiled the retirement period of the government employees by replacing the old scheme with the new scheme. The agitation against the NPS was non-political and for ensuring justice to 1.2 lakh employees working in the state.

The former MP said that before launching the stir, he had stopped taking pension in protest and would not relent until the old scheme was restored. “It is ironic that MLAs, MPs and judiciary are covered under the OPS but members of the executive, who play an important role in public welfare and implement government’s policies and programmes, have been covered under the NPS,” he rued.

Sushant appealed to the Supreme Court to take suo motto notice and direct the Centre to restore the OPS. — OC