The Nagaland National Pension System Government Service Employees Forum (NNPSGSEF) has announced its participation in the National Protest Day on September 26, 2024, organized by the All India State Government Employees Federation (AISGEF). The nationwide protest, which will see participation from state government employees across the country, aims to raise various demands regarding the pension system and employees’ rights.
In a formal communication to the Chief Secretary of Nagaland, NNPSGSEF confirmed its solidarity with the AISGEF and the nationwide protest. The Confederation of All Nagaland State Service Employees Association (CANSSEA) will also support the event, with a demonstration scheduled to take place outside the Nagaland Civil Secretariat in Kohima between 11:00 AM and 01:00 PM.
The All India State Government Employees Federation (AISGEF) has denounced the recently introduced Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) by the Union Government, calling it a “dubious attempt” to deceive state employees and teachers. In response, the AISGEF has declared September 26, 2024, as National Protest Day, urging government employees across the country to join in a mass demonstration to demand the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
The AISGEF’s secretariat meeting, held virtually on August 25, 2024, expressed strong opposition to the UPS, stating that the scheme fails to address the core issues raised by employees in their decades-long struggle against the National Pension Scheme (NPS). According to the federation, the UPS, announced on August 24, is merely a modified version of the NPS, designed to favor corporate interests by funneling pension contributions into the share market.
In a press release, AISGEF criticized the UPS, claiming it is part of a conspiracy to mislead employees who have been protesting the NPS for over two decades. The federation pointed out that the UPS offers limited benefits, such as a 50% pension of the average last twelve months’ emoluments for those with 25 years of service, a minimum pension of Rs10,000, and a 60% family pension. AISGEF argued that these provisions are inadequate compared to the OPS, which ensured better long-term security and periodical revisions without defined contributions.
AISGEF emphasized that the government’s increased contribution of 18.5% under the UPS would primarily benefit corporate entities, as over Rs10 lakh crore collected through NPS contributions has already been invested in the share market. The federation claimed that this policy would further privatize pensions, enriching corporate houses at the expense of employees’ financial security.
AISGEF reiterated its demand for the complete rollback of the NPS and UPS, calling for the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). The OPS, which was replaced by the NPS in 2004, guaranteed employees a defined benefit without requiring regular contributions, providing superior financial stability upon retirement. The federation also pointed out that despite some states like Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Himachal Pradesh deciding to revert to OPS, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) has not refunded the contributions made under the NPS, creating obstacles for other states considering a rollback.
AISGEF has a long history of opposing the NPS, participating in multiple national strikes and protests over the years. The federation believes that sustained efforts by state employees, teachers, and allied groups can lead to the full restoration of the OPS, repealing the PFRDA Act that governs the NPS.
AISGEF has called upon state government employees and teachers across India to observe September 26 as National Protest Day. The protest will include demonstrations, dharnas, and rallies in district headquarters nationwide, focusing on a 10-point charter of demands, which in addition to the demand for the restoration of the OPS, includes:
. Repealing the PFRDA Act and scrapping both the NPS and UPS.
. Regularizing all contractual employees and filling vacancies in state government departments.
. Stopping the privatization and corporatization of Public Sector Units (PSUs).
. Ensuring wage revision every five years and releasing pending dearness allowance (DA) arrears.
. Implementing comprehensive health insurance with cashless treatment for employees and pensioners.
. Abandoning the National Education Policy (NEP).
. Repealing Articles 310 and 311(2) of the Constitution and the new criminal laws.
. Upholding secularism and fighting against communalism.
. Redefining center-state relations to protect cooperative federalism.
. Raising the income tax exemption limit to Rs10 lakh.