In Rajasthan, the old pension scheme of more than 5.25 lakh state employees is once again under threat. The government has started implementing the new pension scheme by abolishing the old pension scheme. In the first phase, along with loss-making corporations, boards and commissions, some universities have also been given permission to end the old pension scheme. Currently, efforts are being made to implement this as an experiment where the number of employees is very limited.

Employees and their organizations have already started protesting against this experiment. They are beginning to fear that after a few days it will be implemented in the whole of Rajasthan. The employees clearly say that they will not tolerate this at any cost and will fight every battle for this in a democratic manner.

Gehlot government had implemented OPS

In fact, the previous Ashok Gehlot government of Rajasthan had announced in the year 2022 that any employee who wants to join the old pension scheme can apply for it. Almost all the employees of the state had changed their pension plan after this. From April 1, 2023, 5,24,822 employees of the state started getting the benefits of the Old Pension Scheme. Like other parts of the country, the Old Pension Scheme had stopped being available in Rajasthan from January 1, 2004. However, old employees are continuously getting it.

Gave the liberty that if she wishes, she can end the old pension scheme of her employees and bring them under the ambit of NPS. However, before implementing it they will have to take formal approval from the government. The number of employees in the institutions which have been given permission to abolish the Old Pension Scheme is very limited. In such a situation, no strong voice of protest is coming out from there.

Movement may intensify after festival

After this decision of the government, other employees of the state and their organizations have started protesting against it. Although the voices of protest are still slow, preparations are being made to sharpen it after the festivals of Diwali and Chhath. The employees clearly say that the government is conducting a kind of experiment. After the institutions, it will be implemented in the entire state and more than five lakh employees will have to bear the brunt of it.

At present, the employees have been protesting by protesting and raising slogans in their respective offices or workplaces, but they have clearly said that in the coming days, they will take to the streets and protest and if necessary, they will be forced to stop work and go on strike. Employees say that if the MPs and MLAs themselves are not making changes in their pension scheme then why are the employees being made its victims. He will not accept it at any cost and will oppose it at every level.

Will protest with employees- Congress

Since the matter is related to the interests of more than five lakh employees, political parties also do not want to lag behind in this. The opposition has also said that it will support the agitating employees. Senior Congress party leader and former cabinet minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas says that the present BJP government is not thinking about anyone’s interest and is busy troubling everyone. According to him, if the employees raise their voice regarding this, then the Congress Party will be seen standing with them.

Will talk to government employees

On the other hand, the Rajasthan government, which came on the backfoot, says that it is ready to talk to the employees if needed. According to state Deputy CM Premchand Bairwa, the government will take any step only after talking to the employees.

On the other hand, BJP state president and Rajya Sabha MP Madan Rathod claims that there is absolutely no resentment among the employees regarding the implementation of the new pension scheme in place of the old pension scheme. Now it remains to be seen whether the Rajasthan government withdraws its steps after the dissatisfaction of some employees or abolishes the old pension scheme itself.