Old Pension Scheme 2022: After the implementation of OPS in Congress-ruled states like Rajasthan-Chhattisgarh, before the 2024 general elections, the demand for restoration of old pension scheme has intensified across the country. Amidst the demands being made by the opposition and the central employees, a big statement has now come to the notice of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC to PM) member Sanjeev Sanyal. Expressing concern over this, he has described it as a big threat to the future generations.
In an interview, Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC to PM), said that unfunded pension schemes are ultimately harmful for future generations, the government used to give full pension under OPS, new pension Under the scheme, the employee contributes 10% of his basic salary and the state government 14%. One must be very careful with the changes in the pension reforms that have been done with great difficulty in the last few decades.
Sanjeev Sanyal further said that considering the current global economy and international situation, the situation regarding OPS will not be right even in 2023. However, he did not describe India’s economy as much of a threat. According to him, India can achieve an economic growth rate of 9 percent for many years. Before this, the statement of the members of NITI Aayog has also come to the fore.
The question was also raised in the Parliament
Recently, during the winter session of the Parliament, on OPS, Javed Ali Khan, Ram Nath Thakur and Niranj Shekhar had asked the central government whether the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare has asked the Department of Expenditure (DOE) during August, 2022. ISSUANCE OF GENERAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS PROVIDING COVERAGE TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES UNDER OPS ON THE BASIS OF RECRUITMENT ADVERTISEMENTS ISSUED BEFORE 01/01/2004 WHO ARE APPOINTED BEFORE OR AFTER 01/01/2004 What is the concurrence/comment of the Department of Expenditure for
Union Minister gave this answer
To this, Union Minister Jitendra Singh had replied that after the Supreme Court dismissed some SLP/Review petitions filed by the Union of India against the orders of the Delhi High Court, those government employees whose selection process 1-1 -2004, a reference was sent to DOE in August 2022, for issuing general orders regarding allowing the benefit of the old pension scheme; No decision has been taken to issue general instructions in this regard.
Government’s statement on NPS-OPS
The National Pension System (NPS) was implemented for Central Government employees vide Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs) notification dated 22 NPS is mandatory for all except Force). In view of the specific provision of the notification dated 22.12.2003, the date of advertisement of vacancies is not considered relevant for determining the eligibility for coverage under OPS or NPS.
Implemented in 4 states, preparation in Himachal too
Let us tell you that Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh have already implemented the old pension scheme in the Congress-ruled states and now after coming to power, Congress is preparing to restore the old pension scheme in Himachal Pradesh as well. Its proposal will come in the cabinet soon. . Here, the Hemant Soren government of Jharkhand has also decided to roll back the OPS, while the Aam Aadmi Party-ruled Punjab has recently approved the re-implementation of the OPS.