In a significant move, the Pension Bahali Sangharsh Samiti (PBSS) of Haryana, a group representing government employees across the state, has strongly rejected both the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) and the New Pension Scheme (NPS). They are demanding a return to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and have warned the ruling BJP that failure to meet their demands could affect their support in the upcoming Assembly elections. Legislative assembly elections are scheduled to be held in Haryana on 5 October 2024 to elect all 90 members of the Haryana Legislative Assembly. The votes will be counted and the results will be declared on 8 October 2024.
Government Employees protest for reintroduction of Old Pension Scheme (OPS) in Hisar Haryana pic.twitter.com/OYfifi0bxr
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The PBSS organized a large gathering at the New Grain Market in Hisar, drawing thousands of government employees from various districts, including Hisar, Fatehabad, Sirsa, Jind, Bhiwani, and Charkhi Dadri. The event was not just a meeting but a rallying cry, as participants later took to the streets in a Tiranga Yatra, a symbolic march waving the national flag, to draw attention to their cause.
Voices of Discontent: The Call for the Old Pension Scheme
At the meeting, PBSS state president Vijender Dhariwal voiced the collective frustration of the employees. He criticized the BJP government, accusing it of ignoring the needs and preferences of state employees. Dhariwal argued that both the NPS and the newly introduced UPS have significant flaws, stating, “No employee of Haryana agrees with the NPS and UPS. We demand the restoration of the OPS.”
Dhariwal pointed out the irony in the government’s stance. While the government previously endorsed the NPS, it has now proposed the UPS, which suggests that they acknowledge the shortcomings of the NPS. The PBSS leader warned that it is only a matter of time before the government has no choice but to bring back the OPS. He stressed that the PBSS will continue its campaign until their demands are met, highlighting the growing discontent among the state’s employees.
A Warning to the Government
The rally also served as a platform for the PBSS to issue a stern warning to the Haryana government. Dhariwal reminded the ruling party of its reduced performance in recent elections, attributing this to the growing dissatisfaction among government employees. He vowed that their movement would influence the upcoming Assembly elections, as employees continue to rally support for the OPS.
Rishi Nain, the state general secretary of the PBSS, echoed this sentiment, stating that government employees have already shown their electoral power in the Lok Sabha elections. He expressed hope that a change in government after the state elections would lead to the reinstatement of the OPS, a move that he believes is crucial for the welfare of the state’s workforce.
Solidarity and Strength: A Show of Unity
Dinesh Pabra, the PBSS Hisar district president, expressed gratitude to the employees who attended the meeting. He emphasized that the large turnout was a powerful demonstration of unity and strength among government employees. Pabra believes this show of solidarity will significantly impact the upcoming elections, making it clear that the voices of Haryana’s government employees cannot be ignored.
Conclusion
The PBSS’s rally in Hisar is a clear indication of the growing unrest among Haryana’s government employees over pension schemes. Their demand for the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme reflects their desire for stability and security in their retirement years. As the Assembly elections approach, the government will need to address these concerns or risk losing the support of a significant voter base. The PBSS has made its stance clear: the fight for the OPS is on, and they are prepared to see it through.
