The issue of OPS was raised in the state assembly. Sarma said, “There are around 4 lakh government employees in the state, of which 1,75,998 are under OPS and around 2,85,000 under NPS. About 1.5 lakh of them were employed during the BJP regime. Employees who are young have never protested the NPS. The central government employees have never protested the NPS-OPS.”
Dissatisfied with the chief minister’s reply, the opposition walked out of the assembly and protested with “NPS is not required, OPS is needed” placards outside the house.
Sarma said, “One lakh recruits in Assam will get much more than OPS after 35 years of service. The Government of India has formed a committee to study the NPS-OPS. The Assam government has given a memorandum for assured pension. Even Kerala has made similar suggestions. Let us wait for the committee’s recommendations.”
He added, “West Bengal has not paid Dearness Allowance. Earlier the government in Rajasthan opted for OPS, money is cut it will be only known when those employees retire what money they get. In Himachal Pradesh one is not sure. Basically, opposition governments across the country have stopped deducting the employee’s contribution in the pension and telling the people that they are under OPS. If they become OPS will be known only in 2035.”
He said, “New recruits are in favour of NPS, we will go with the Central policy. “Our pension bill is Rs 1700 Crore and if we return to OPS, the government will crumble, there will be no way through which we can run the government. If we continue to do this, the economy will suffer. Our monthly salary bill stands at Rs 2800 Crore to 3000 Crore. In the next five-year pension will outstrip salary if taken to OPS as the life expectancy of people is increasing.” CPI (M) MLA Manoranjan Talukdar said, “The chief minister said employees will get more money in NPS. If OPS is implemented, the government will go bankrupt in 5 years. However, the employees have not been able to establish confidence in NPS. We demand the cancellation of NPS and the retention of OPS.”
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