Nagaland OPS demand: Govt employees stage car sticker rally

Nagaland National Pension System Government Service Employees Forum (NNPSGSEF) on Tuesday staged a statewide car sticker rally demanding restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for Nagaland government employees.
The rally, which was held simultaneously across all districts, culminated in the submission of a memorandum to the chief secretary at the Civil Secretariat, Kohima.
Addressing media persons, NNPSGSEF president Avizo Nienu said that the campaign was not merely for self-benefit but aimed at securing the lives of all government employees and future senior citizens of Nagaland.
He informed that the rally commenced from IG Stadium and concluded at the Secretariat.
He said the forum submitted a representation to the state government demanding restoration OPS in place of National Pension System (NPS).
Nienu expressed optimism that the state government would respond positively to their appeal. He said that restoration of OPS would ensure the welfare of both state employees and the citizens of Nagaland.
In its memorandum addressed to the chief secretary, NNPSGSEF appealed for the restoration of OPS under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021) for all state government employees appointed after January 1, 2010, who are currently governed by the contributory NPS.
The forum noted that NPS, introduced by the Ministry of Finance on January 1, 2004, and later implemented in Nagaland from January 1, 2010, had adversely affected state employees, depriving them of post-retirement pension benefits despite years of dedicated service. It pointed out that employees appointed after NPS implementation were involuntarily brought under the scheme, which has led to widespread dissatisfaction.
NNPSGSEF said over 35,000 government employees in Nagaland were currently under NPS. It explained that under the scheme, employees contribute 10% of their Basic Pay plus DA monthly, while the state government contributes 14%. At the time of retirement, 60% of the accumulated fund is paid to the employee, while 40% is compulsorily invested in the market to generate pension through annuity. The forum highlighted that the returns from this market-linked system are neither fixed nor guaranteed.
It further stated that in the event of an employee’s death, if the accumulated amount exceeds Rs.5 lakh, 20% is given to the nominee while 80% is invested in the market. If the amount is below Rs.5 lakh, it is paid in a lump sum without any further pension provision.
Criticising the NPS for being market-dependent and lacking minimum pension assurance, the forum asserted that the system fails to guarantee financial stability and social security for retirees.
It also highlighted that NPS offers no Dearness Allowance (DA), no benefits of pay commission revisions, and no guaranteed lifetime pension, unlike OPS, which assures 50% of the last basic pay plus DA, periodic DA increments, and pay commission benefits every ten years.
The forum also underscored that OPS provides social security, financial independence, and aligns with the Directive Principles of State Policy, whereas NPS does not.
Referring to several states that have already reverted to the OPS, the forum urged the Nagaland government to follow suit in the interest of its employees and future generations.