Non-settlement of GDS demands - Two days strike with Postal JCA

Non-settlement of GDS demands - Two days strike with Postal JCA

AIPEU-GDS : LETTER TO SECRETARY POSTS

ALL INDIA POSTAL EMPLOYEES UNION-GDS
(An associate member of National Federation of Postal Employees)
CHQ: Dada Ghosh Bhawan, 215/1, New Patel Road, New Delhi-110008

President: Virendra Sharma
General Secretary: P.Pandurangarao

Website: http:www.aipeugdsnfpe.blogpspot.com
e-mail: aipeugdsnfpe@gmail.com

No.AIPEU-GDS/Strike/2018

Dt.26-11-2018

To
The Secretary
Department of Posts
Dak Bhawan
New Delhi - 110 001

Respected Sir,

Sub:- Non-settlement of GDS demands - Two days strike with Postal JCA - Reg.

I would like to draw your kind attention on the following issues of GDS. The entire GDS employees are very much agitated on the non-settlement of GDS demands for the last 4 months. Implementation of positive recommendations of Shri Kamalesh Chandra Committee made partial and so many other positive recommendations are yet to be implemented. Regarding the drawal of Combined Duty Allowance, Composite Allowance and Risk & Hardship Allowances are kept pending in many divisions for seeking necessary clarifications from the Directorate. Membership verification in GDS cadre has been stopped arbitrarily. Non-availability of proper net work connection in rural areas became tedious in the operation of RICT devices in BOs including IPPB. Drawl of benefit from SDBS to retired GDS even after 5-6 years became farce. Repeated requests to the administration through various forums became in vain.

In this background, we have no other option except to conduct a serious trade union action and AIPEU-GDS is decided to go for two days strike on 8th & 9th January 2019 along with Postal JCA (NFPE & FNPO) demanding to settle the following issues in favour of GDS.

1. Implement all positive recommendations of Shri Kamalesh Chandra Committee and grant civil servant status to GDS.

2. The recommendations of the GDS Committee should be implemented from 01-01-2016 regarding new wage scale for calculation of arrears.

3. All the recommendations on retirement benefits to GDS should be implemented from 01-01-2016. Consider perusal about the drawal of benefits from SDBS to the retired GDS in waiting since Jan, 2014.

4. Justified scale fixation to be granted to senior GDS as there are some anomalies while fixing the new wage scale caused drawal of lesser wage and meager benefit compared with new entrants.

5. Bring GDS under the purview of Gratuity Act as recommended by the GDS Committee up to Rs.5.00 laks w.e.f 01-01-2016.

6. Issue orders on the following recommendations as ensured in the minutes of the meeting dtd.31-07-2018 with GDS unions.

(a) Children Education Allowance
(b) Emergency leave to GDS
(c) Accumulation of Paid Leave to a maximum of 180 days
(d) Insurance Scheme
(e) Limited transfer facility
(f) Voluntary discharge scheme
(g) Qualifying service for LDCEs.

7.Restart the process of membership verification in GDS cadre as it was arbitrarily cancelled.

8.Combined Duty Allowance, Composite Allowance, Risk & Hardship Allowance should be granted to GDS as per the recommendations of the GDS Committee without any modification.

9.All vacant posts of Departmental cadres viz., MTS, Postman, MG allotted to the GDS should be filled up as and when the vacancy arises every year keeping in view of the age of GDS and cut-off date of the examination. Conditions like 3yrs / 5yrs minimum service may be relaxed and allow the suggestions made by the GDS Committee. Condition of possessing Driving License at the time of examination may also be relaxed.

10.Fill up all vacant posts in GDS cadre to avoid combination of duties in the back ground of RICT & IPPB rolled out in BOs.

11.Grant Pension to the promoted GDS to the Departmental cadres based on Supreme Court Judgement in SLP No. (C) 13042 of 2014.

12.Proper net work availability should be made in all rural areas after introduction of DARPAN in BOs.

13.Grant funds to draw all kinds of incentives liable to GDS viz., MNREGS, DBT Schemes, PLI/RPLI etc., pending for years in all Circles.

14.Necessary changes may be made in Rule-3A of GDS (C&E) Rules, 2011 in case of Rule-3A (i),(ii),(iii),(vii)&(ix) in favour of GDS in the changed pattern of working conditions in the BOs besides the recommendations of the GDS Committee.

15. Introduce Medical treatment facility to GDS as suggested by the GDS Committee.

Yours sincerely,
(P.Pandurangarao)
General Secretary

Source: http://aipeugdsnfpe.blogspot.com

NPS to OPS: Resolution adopted by Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi

NPS to OPS: Resolution adopted by Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi

Resolution adopted by the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi - Abolish National Pension System (NPS) and reinstate the old Pension System

NPS to OPS: Resolution adopted by Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi
Resolution adopted by the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi - Abolish National Pension System (NPS) and reinstate the old Pension System

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY SECRETARIAT
NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI
Old Secretariat, Delhi - 110054

No.F.22(3)/Resolutions/2015/LAS-VI/Leg./

Dated: /11/2018

To
1. The Hon'ble Minister of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
Government of India
North Block, New Delhi - 110 001
2. The Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister,
Government of NCT of Delhi
I.P. Estate, New Delhi - 110002

Sub: Resolution adopted by the Legislative Assembly of NCT of Delhi to call the attention of Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister to abolish National Pension System (NPS) and reinstate the Old Pension System in the interest of lakhs of Government Servants'.

Sir,
The Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi unanimously adopted the following resolution moved by Shri Ajay Dutt, Hon'ble Member of Legislative Assembly in its sitting held on 26/11/2018:
"The Legislative Assembly in its sitting on 26 November 2018 resolves that:
Taking note of the negative consequences of the anti-employee National Pension System (NPS) that is imposed on the Government Servants by the then NDA Government in 2004 and sustained by the UPA-1, UPA-II and NDA-II Governments,

given that fact that, unlike the old pension scheme, the NPS;
does not give any guarantee to the employee either for assured returns on investments or for minimum pension,
does not provide for family pension or social security,
does not provide for loan facility when in dire need,
does not provide for annual increments and hike in DA,
does not allow the employees to withdraw enough money from their own pension fund to meet their medical emergencies,
leaves the employees at the mercy of volatile markets and the forces that have notoriously being manipulating the markets,
imposes draconian restrictions on withdrawals from pension fund,
allows the insurance companies to exploit employees by way of forcing them to buy annuity for minimum of ten years even after retirement, and
runs contrary to the spirit of welfare state as enshrined in the Constitution.

Given the fact that the pro-people and welfare oriented Government of NCT of Delhi is strongly in favour of restoring the rights and privilleges of its employees by way of replacing the NPS with the time tested old pension scheme.
Resolves to urge upon the Government of India to scrap the NPS with immediate effect and bring at once all the Government Servants working under the Government of NCT of Delhi under the old pension scheme and restore to them all the benefits of the old pension scheme wherein the fair and legislative pensions benefits are disbursed through the Constitutinal Fund of India, so that the dedicated work force of the Government of NCT of Delhi and their families will be able to lead their lives with sense of security and dignity, and further resolves to urge upon the Government of India to restore the old pension scheme in place of NPS or the benefit of all the Government Servants working under the Government of India and also to activity encourage other States to follow this true welfare measure."

Yours sincerely,

(C.Velmurugan)
Secretary (L.A.)

No.F.22(3)/Resolutions/2015/LAS-VI/Leg./2982
Dated: 27.11.2018

Copy for information and necessary action to:
1. Chief Secretary, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Delhi.
2. Principal Secretary to Lt. Governor, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Delhi.
3. Principal Secretary (Services), Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Delhi.
4. Additional Secretary to the Chief Minister, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Delhi.

sd/-
(Shnil Dutt Sharma)
Deputy Secretary (Legislation)

Source: Confederation

Interview for Contractual TGT Teachers on 27.11.2018

Interview for Contractual TGT Teachers on 27.11.2018

Interview for contractual teacher - TGT - Sanskrit will be held on 27th November 2018. Registration - 09:30 AM to 01:00 PM. Interview at 01:30 PM .

KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA TALEGAON
CRPF (GC), OLD MUMBAI PUNE HIGHWAY, TALEGAON DABHADE- 410507
WALK IN INTERVIEW on 27.11.2018
(PART TIME/CONTRACTUAL TEACHERS)

( Email.id - kvtalegaon01@gmail.com)

Kendriya Vidyalaya Talegaon requires the following part-time/ Contractual Teachers/Coaches purely on contractual/day to day need basis for the session 2018-19.

Registration for Interview -

1. Eligible candidates will register their names and submit their biodata in the proforma available in the vidyalaya, alongwith one set of self -attested xerox copies of the certificates and a recent photograph on 27.11.2018 from 9:30 AM to 1:00 PM.

The registered candidates should bring their originals on the day of the interview for on the spot verification by the interview committee

Interview - The registered candidates shall appear for interviews as per the schedule displayed below.

S.No	1
Name of the post	TGT (Sanskrit)
Essential qualification	Essential 1) Four years' Integrated degree course of Regional College of Education of NCERT in the concerned subject with at least 50% marks in aggregate; OR Bachelor's Degree with at least 50% marks in the concerned subjects/ combination of subjects and in aggregate. The electives subjects and Languages in the combination of subjects as under: a) For TGT (Sanskrit): Sanskrit as a subject in all the three years. 2) Pass in the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET), conducted by CBSE in accordance with the Guidelines framed by the NCTE for the purpose. 3) Proficiency in teaching Hindi and English medium 4) Desirable: Knowledge of Computer Applications.
Remuneration	As per KVS norms-(Consolidated payment @ of Rs.26,250/- pm)
Date of interview & Time	27.11.2018 Registration - 09:30AM - 1:00 PM Interview - 01:30 PM onwards

PRINCIPAL
KV CRPF TALEGAON

Cumulative No of Houses sanctioned under PMAY(U) now more than 65 Lakhs

Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Cumulative No of Houses sanctioned under PMAY(U) now more than 65 Lakhs

2,05,442 houses sanctioned under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana(Urban) in the 40th CSMC

Maharashtra gets 1,16,042 Houses, Karnataka-  31,657, Bihar-26,880, Tamil Nadu - 15,529 and Jammu & Kashmir - 15,334

28 NOV 2018

The cumulative number of houses sanctioned under PMAY(U) now is 65,04,037. The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs has approved the construction of another 2,05,442 more affordable houses for the benefit of urban poor under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban). The approval was given in the 40th meeting of the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee held here today.

Maharashtra has been sanctioned 1,16,042 houses while the sanction for Karnataka is 31,657 affordable houses.  The number of houses sanctioned for Bihar is 26,880, while Tamil Nadu has been sanctioned 15,529 houses and Jammu & Kashmir 15,334 houses.

A total of 392 projects with a project cost of Rs 7,391 crore with central assistance of Rs 3,082 crore has been approved in the meeting held under the Chairmanship of Sh Durga Shankar Mishra, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

The approvals under the Beneficiary led construction(BLC) vertical is 85,227 while it is 1,20,215 under Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP)vertical.

PIB

Extension of due dates for filing GST returns

Ministry of Finance
Extension of due dates for filing GST returns

28 NOV 2018

In view of the disturbances caused to daily life by Cyclone Titli in the district of Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, and by Cyclone Gaza in eleven districts of Tamil Nadu viz., Cuddalore, Thiruvarur, Puddukottai, Dindigul, Nagapatinam, Theni, Thanjavur, Sivagangai, Tiruchirappalli, Karur and Ramanathapuram, the competent authority has decided to extend the due dates for filing various GST returns as detailed below:

Sl. No.	Return/Form	Extended due date	Taxpayers eligible for extension
1	FORM GSTR-3B for the months of September and October, 2018	30th November, 2018	Taxpayers whose principal place of business isin the district of Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh
2	FORM GSTR-3Bfor the month of October, 2018	20th December, 2018	Taxpayers whose principal place of business is in the 11 specified districts of Tamil Nadu
3	FORM GSTR-1 for the months of September and October, 2018	30th November, 2018	Taxpayers having aggregate turnover of more than 1.5 crore rupees and whose principal place of businessis in the district of Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh
4	FORM GSTR-1 for the month ofOctober, 2018	20th December, 2018	Taxpayers having aggregateturnover of more than 1.5 crore rupees and whose principalplace of business is in the eleven specified districts of Tamil Nadu
5	FORM GSTR-1 for the quarter July-September, 2018	30th November, 2018	Taxpayers having aggregate turnover of upto 1.5 crore rupees and whose principal place of business is in the district of Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh
6	FORM GSTR-4 for the quarter July to September, 2018	30th November, 2018	Taxpayers whose principal place of business isin the district of Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh
7	FORM GSTR-7 for the months October to December, 2018	31st January, 2019	All taxpayers

2. The relevant notifications for the same will be issued shortly.

PIB

Clarification on Enhanced Family Pension Payable - DoP&PW

Clarification on Enhanced Family Pension Payable - DoP&PW

No.1/1(5)/2018-P&PW(E)
Department of Pension & Pensionors' Welfare
(Desk E)

Sub: Clarification on date upto which enhanced family pension payable-reg.

Ref: CPAO ID No. CPAO/IT & Tech/Clarification/13(VOL-III)/P&PW/2017-18/193 dated 05.02.2018 and NIC Note, dated 3.4.2013.

CPAO may please refer to above mention ID, dated 5.2.2018 on the subject mentioned above.

2. It was decided to increase the age of retirement from 58 to 60 years vide its notification No.25012/2/97-Estt.(A) dated 13th May, 1998. In pursuance of this decision and in view of the recommendation of the Vth Central Pay Commission, in partial modification of Rule 54(3) (a) of CCS (Pension) rules, 1972, it was decided that the payment of family pension at enhanced rates will be payable for 7 years or till the government servant/pensioner would have attained the age of 67 years against the existing provision of 65 years. This has been applicable in cases where Government servant is to retire at the age of 60 years in pursuance of the notification dated 11.05.1998 and not where Government servant has already retired at the age of 58 years or would have retired at the age of 55 years but for his premature demise.

3. Subsequently rule 54(3)(a)(ii) has also been amended to read as under:
In the event of death of Government servant after retirement, the family pension as determined under sub-clause (i) shall be payable for a period of seven years, or for u period up to the date on which the retired deceased Government servant would have attained the age of 67 years had he survived, whichever is less.

4. In view of this it is clear that family pension at enhanced rates will be payable for 7 years or till the deceased retired government servant would have attained the age of 67 years had he survived, whichever is less, irrespective of type of retirement. date of retirement and age of superannuation applicable in the case of retired Govt. servant. This would equally apply in all Central Civil Govt. Departments/Offices including CPAF and Medical Officers.

5. This issues with the approval of competent authority.

sd/-
(Sanjoy Shankar)
Under Secretary

Appraisal and Approval of Public Funded Schemes and Projects - Special Measures to meet needs of Persons with Disabilities

Appraisal and Approval of Public Funded Schemes and Projects - Special Measures to meet needs of Persons with Disabilities

No. 24(35)/PF-II/2012
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure

North Block, New Delhi,
Dated 3rd April, 2018

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

Subject: Appraisal and Approval of Public Funded Schemes and Projects (except matters required to be placed before the Cabinet Committee on Security) - Special Measures to meet needs of Persons with Disabilities

The undersigned is directed to refer to this Department's OM No.24(35)/PF-II/2012 dated 05th August, 2016 on the subject cited above.

2. Following modifications are made in Annexure-IVA and Annexure-IV B of this Department's OM No. 24(35)/PF-II/2012 dated 05th August, 2016 :

(i) Insertion of a new sub-para 3.6 in Section 3 of Annexure -IVA: Format for EFC/SFC Memorandum for the appraisal of schemes, as under:
"Please bring out special interventions proposed to meet needs of Persons with Disabilities, including accessibility requirements under the RoPWD Act 2016". [Attach details at Annexure]

(ii) Insertion of a new sub-para 2.4 in Section 2 of Annexure IV B: Format for PIBIDIB Memorandum for appraisal of Projects, as under:
"Please indicate special measures proposed to meet needs of Persons with Disabilities, including accessibility requirements under the RoPWD Act". [Attach details at Annexure]

3. This comes into immediate effect. Ministries/Departments are requested to accordingly circulate EFC/PIB memos for inter-ministerial consultations after incorporating measures to meet needs of Persons with Disabilities.

4. This issues with the approval of Secretary (Expenditure).

(Harsha Dass)
Director
Tel. No. 23092578

Source: DoE

Expediting the finilasiation of the proposals regarding framing/amendment of recruitment rules in the RRFAMS portal pending with Ministries/Departments

Expediting the finilasiation of the proposals regarding framing/amendment of recruitment rules in the RRFAMS portal pending with Ministries/Department.

DOPT

D.O. No14017/23/2017-Eslt.RR

November 22, 2018

Respected Sir/ madam
This is in continuation of DO letter from Secretary, DoPT of January 19, 2018. DoPT has launched a fully computerized/online Recruitment Rules Formulation Amendment & Monitoring System (RRFAMS) for examination of Recruitment Rules and the comments/approval of DoPT is conveyed through the system itself. This initiative was taken with a view to reduce the overall time taken for finalization of recruitment rules.

2. In this regard, I would like to bring to your kind notice that there are some RRs which were forwarded by your Ministry/Department to DOPT for approval and after examination in DOPT the comments were conveyed through the online portal. However, the proposals have not been referred back to DOPT with reference to queries made therein. A list of RRs which are pending with each Ministry/Department is annexed herewith.

3. It is therefore requested to kindly direct the officer dealing with the matter to expedite the finalization of the proposals pending in the portal with your Ministry/Department.

With warm regards,

Yours sincerely
Gyanendra Dev Tripathi

Source:DoPT

Old Pension Scheme (OPS) Will Be Restored in Delhi

Old Pension Scheme (OPS) Will Be Restored in Delhi

Kejriwal said a resolution to restore the old pension scheme would be passed in a special session of the assembly. "It will then be sent to the Centre for approval. I will fight with the Centre to get it implemented."

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Monday, November 26, that the old pension scheme will be restored by his government and he will write to his counterparts in other states to follow suit.

Kejriwal said a resolution to restore the old pension scheme in the city will be passed in a special session of the legislative assembly.

"It will then be sent to the Centre for approval. I will fight with the Centre to get it implemented," Kejriwal said while addressing a rally organised by the All Teachers, Employees Welfare Association (ATEWA) at Ramlila Ground here.

He said that he would also speak to his counterparts in West Bengal, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for implementation of the scheme.

"The government employees have the power to change the government of the country. I want to warn the Centre, if the demand of employees is not accepted in three months, there will be an apocalypse in 2019," the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener said.

Slogans like "desh ka neta kaisa ho, Kejriwal jaisa ho" greeted the Delhi chief minister as he made the announcement at the rally.

Kejriwal slammed the new pension scheme as "betrayal and cheating" with government employees.
"I want to request Modiji that you cannot accomplish nation-building by disappointing the government employees," he said, adding that the AAP government could perform in the areas of education, health, power and water supply only because of the cooperation of its employees.

The new pension scheme was introduced by the Centre in 2004. Under it, employees contribute towards pension from their monthly salary along with an equal contribution from their employer. The funds are then invested in earmarked investment schemes through pension fund managers.

PTI

Why Government Employees Are Up in Arms About the New Pension Scheme (NPS)

Why Government Employees Are Up in Arms About the New Pension Scheme (NPS)

 NPS

Unlike the old scheme, government employees are now forced to fund half of their pension themselves. This has caused indignation and sparked widespread protests.

On November 16, Union minister Piyush Goyal was reportedly hounded out of an event in Lucknow by railway employees. Among other issues, the protesters were angry about the new pension scheme and demanded the restoration of the old system.

Not just Uttar Pradesh, unrest against the scheme has been brewing across the country and often manifests in mass protest demonstrations.

Forget sustenance, several recently retired government employees say they can’t even pay their monthly electricity bills with the pension amount.

Many of these employees covered under the new contribution-based pension system are receiving as little as Rs 700-800 as monthly pension while the minimum guaranteed amount in the old defined benefit scheme is Rs 9,000. They are now required to pay 10% of their monthly wages which is matched by the government and invested in equity shares. Retirement pensions are dependent on the returns on that accumulated investment.

In the old system, the entire pension amount was borne by the government while fixed returns were guaranteed for employee contribution to the General Provident Fund (GPF). The government pays 50% of the last drawn salary plus dearness allowance (DA) as pension to employees after retiring, and to their dependent family members in case of death.

What is the new pension scheme and how is it different from the old one?
The National Pension System (NPS) is a defined contribution scheme mandatory for all new recruits to the Central government (except armed forces) joining on or after January 1, 2004. All state governments, except West Bengal, have also made it mandatory.

In 2009, the scheme was extended to all Indian citizens from 18-60 years of age, however, the 10% government contribution is only for government employees. An independent Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), set up in 2013, regulates the NPS.
The NPS has two tiers - Tier 1 is mandatory for all government employees and has a fixed lock-in period. Subscribers can only withdraw the accumulated wealth after they retire, i.e., are 60 years old. A recent amendment allows them to withdraw 25% of the employee contribution in case of emergencies.

Even at the time of retirement, subscribers can withdraw only 60% of the total amount, which is taxable, and it’s mandatory to invest the rest 40% to buy a lifelong annuity scheme through an IRDA-regulated insurance company. If they leave the scheme or retire before attaining the age of 60, 80% of the pension wealth has to be invested in the annuity scheme.

Tier 2 is a voluntary account, more of a substitute for the GPF where one can withdraw any amount at any time. The government does not contribute anything in the tier 2 account.

Unlike the pension and GPF in the old scheme, the NPS does not guarantee any fixed returns as it is market-linked.

Teething troubles or discriminatory by design?
Since the NPS covers employees recruited after December 2003 and the age of retirement is 60, most employees are yet to avail the new pension benefits.

On being asked why they were protesting more than a decade after the old scheme was replaced, the employees say they initially had little understanding of the scheme as there were no active efforts to educate them or raise awareness about it.

They were told that NPS was better as the government was also matching their contributions. “Many employees have been protesting from the start but NPS was forced on us nevertheless. Such large-scale movements take time. We were fewer in number and it took time to organise,” Manjeet Singh Patel, Delhi state president of the National Movement for Old Pension Scheme (NMOPS)
Many experts and supporters of the scheme argue that just like a standard Systematic Investment Plan, long-term capital gains under NPS would be better than before. However, protesting employees argue that for those retiring after 10-12 years under NPS, the accumulated wealth is too less to provide substantial amount as pensions.

“The total accumulated wealth in my NPS account on retirement was Rs 3.25 lakhs even when I got 13% interest rate on it. After 60% of it was paid to me on retirement, I am receiving less than Rs 700 every month as pension through the annuity scheme,” R.P. Bhatia, a former employee of the Haryana electricity board, told The Wire.

Bhatia was made permanent in November 2006 and retired in 2013. NPS was enforced in Haryana from 2006 itself. He says his colleagues who were recruited not long before him are receiving over Rs 15,000 as pension under the old scheme.

To be sure, employees did not need to contribute anything to avail pension in the earlier scheme. Under NPS, employees have to fund half of their pension themselves.

If they want a GPF-like option where there's no strict lock-in period, they have to additionally deposit money in the tier 2 account. They say this leaves them with less disposable income and even then, they live in constant anxiety of losing their money in the equity market.

"If the government wanted to encourage us to invest in mutual funds, we should have been educated about it and it should be optional for those willing to risk it. The government is forcing us into it instead of providing a safety net," Patel added.

In addition to these issues, government employees from many parts of Uttar Pradesh allege their contribution hasn’t even started being deducted from their salaries. “How will we get returns from the market when our money hasn’t even been deducted from our accounts to be invested,” Ajit Verma, a 32-year-old government employee from Lakhimpur Kheri in UP, told The Wire. He adds that this is the case in many blocks of his district.

Speculative benefits instead of safety net
"The minimum pension amount under the old scheme is Rs 9,000 which has been calculated keeping in mind entry-level minimum wages. Real pension amounts are much higher as nobody retires on entry-level wages. In the new scheme, even those who have worked for a decade are getting as little as Rs 1,000-2,000. This is a disastrous policy," Tapan Sen, general secretary, Center of Indian Trade Unions, told The Wire.

Sen also alleges that both the Congress and BJP governments, through this scheme, have been using public money to help those who profit through speculation in the share market at the cost of vulnerable government employees.

In addition to nervousness because of a mistrust in market-linked schemes, the employees also feel they are being discriminated against as armed forces recruits are still covered under the old scheme and they feel their fellow colleagues covered under the old scheme are getting a better deal.
Clearly defined pension amounts and a safety net in the form of fixed interest rates on GPF were the main attractions for a government job for these employees who typically spend their whole working lives in the public sector.

Current state of economy adding to woes
The current state of the economy does nothing to inspire confidence in these employees as they see their interest rates dip in the aftermath of events like demonetisation and Goods and Services Tax.
"We were told that our money in the market would also help avoid a 2008-like economic slowdown. How are we to trust this logic when people like Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi run away with thousands of crores of public money? When even our pension fund managers like SBI goes into massive losses?" Vijay Kumar, national president of the NMOPS, told The Wire.

A rare moment of unity among government employees
As word spreads of an organised movement against the new pension scheme, employees from various government departments and states are joining in. Leaders of the movement say this is one of the rare issues that has united government employees from very diverse sectors and geographical locations.
Workers from the banking sector are also lending their voice to the protest. A charter of demands submitted to the Indian Banks’ Association by the All India Bank Officers’ Confederation also demands scrapping of the NPS.

"Either we go to the old scheme or this scheme can itself be converted into an assured pension scheme. We have also given a workaround on how it can be done. If invested properly, it is possible to guarantee assured income. Instead of investing in the market, the fund can be used in lending activities. Retail lending can alone fetch 12-15% interest and we can avoid the whims of the market," Thomas Franco, former general secretary of AIBOC, told The Wire. Even while suggesting how to ease anxieties regarding market volatility, Franco’s preference remains going back to the old scheme.
Since no concrete action was taken to address their concerns even after multiple appeals to all concerned authorities, the NMOPS has planned to mobilise lakhs of government employees from across India and march to the parliament on Monday.

Source:thewire.in