Responding to the nationwide strike call given by the All India State Government Employees’ Federation (AISGEF), the state government employees under the banner of Nagaland National Pension System Government Service Employees Forum (NNPSGEF) staged peaceful dharna at Civil Secretariat, here on Friday demanding restoration of old pension scheme (OPS) and scrapping the National Pension system (NPS). After the dharna, the forum members submitted a representation to the state chief secretary J Alam at his office chamber.
In the representation, the forum reiterated that the state government employees appointed after January 1, 2010 “involuntarily” had to opt for NPS leading to harming the interest of the employees. The forum stated that their benefits have been deprived from the government by not granting any pension after retirement even after giving their whole life for the development/progress of the State.
Besides some of the “concerning irregularities” of NPS, the forum also highlighted the differences between OPS and NPS. Among others, it stated that there were no contributions under OPS, but there was a mandatory contribution of 10% of Basic + DA every month under NPS.
While OPS was fully secured and provides them social security, the employees said NPS was fully based on stock exchange/share market, which has no guaranteed returns and does not provide social security.
OPS provides a minimum pension guarantee with a monthly pension, i.e. 50% of the last basic pay + DA admissible, but NPS does not provide minimum pension guarantee, it pointed out. Further, the forum stated that on death of an employee, the family was eligible to get family pension scheme and death gratuity benefits under OPS. However, it stated that on death of an employee, under NPS, the family of the deceased gets 20% from the total accumulated amount and 80% was provided as pension to the nominee on annuity system.
Therefore, the forum demanded that the government reintroduce OPS in the State so all retired employees could obtain pension/family pension like all the employees appointed before the introduction of the NPS.
Speaking at the protest site, CANSSEA vice president, Chubayanger Aier, also highlighted the flaws in the NPS and expressed apprehension about the lack of awareness among many employees. He urged the colleagues to inform others, disseminate news, share grievances, and mobilize support across all districts.
Aier also said that they had discussed the matter with the chief secretary and finance commissioner.
NNPSGSEF Kohima unit information secretary, Avizo Nienu, highlighted the ongoing efforts and future plans.
Seeking public support toward the movement, Neinu informed about district tours to raise awareness about OPS and NPS.
Calling for coordination and mobilization among the employee, he urged employees under NPS to actively participate and support the cause.
Short speeches were delivered by representatives from Dimapur unit, Niuland unit, Chumukedima unit, Kiphire unit and NNPSGSEF advisor B. Lanusungkum.
NNPSGSEF president Moanungsang and CANSSEA president Dr Ilang were also present.
Speaking to the media persons, NNPSGEF president Moanungsang, said that the dharna was staged with the aim to urge the state government to revert to OPS as there were “loopholes” in the NPS.
Informing that the employees would continue the fight, he said employees from both the Central and State government employees were extending their support.
Stating that Sikkim has already reverted to OPS, forum president expressed hope that Nagaland would also witness similar change.
Forum president informed that there were approximately 33,000 employees in the state under NPS since its adoption in 2010. He informed that at present government employees from five districts including Dimapur, Niuland, Chümoukedima, Kohima and Kiphire have joined the movement, adding that other districts were also likely to soon join. The Forum’s objective was supported by CANSSEA and the dharna was chaired by NNPSGSEF vice president, Jentinochet.