Assam government employees to protest against NPS, calls for cessation of work

The employees under the aegis of the All Assam Government NPS Employees' Association (AAGNPSEA) have decided to observe 'Karma Birati' (cessation of work) at their respective workplaces during the day across the state to protest against the National Pension System (NPS).

Further, the employees are said to stage a two-day protest from Tuesday (August 22) demanding the re-introduction of the old pension scheme (OPS)

''We have been demanding the implementation of OPS for a long time, but the government has not paid any heed. Most of the people who have retired under the NPS are getting pensions of Rs 500, Rs 600 or Rs 1,000 or a maximum of Rs 3,000 a month,'' AAGNPSEA president Achyutananda Hazarika told the reporters.

Assam has around five lakh government employees, out of which around 3.5 lakhs are under the NPS.

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''On August 22 and 23, all the government employees, including NPS and OPS ones, will go to their respective offices and give attendance. Then they will stage protests at their offices,'' Hazarika said.

Dozens of other associations of government employees of schools and colleges, including faculty and office staff, judicial services, district administrations, trade unions, railways unions, health sector and treasury among others have extended their support to the two-day agitation.

''This is the beginning of a big agitational programme. If the government does not clear its stand, we will be compelled to launch more aggressive movements,'' Hazarika said.

He urged the government to take the demand seriously for the greater interest of the employees and the state as a whole.