Union Cabinet Approves Unified Pension Scheme But Trade Union Leaders Not Satisfied
Trade Union Leaders stick to implementation of Old Pension Scheme
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).
The salient features of the UPS are:
- Assured pension: 50% of the average basic pay drawn over the last 12 months prior to superannuation for a minimum qualifying service of 25 years. This pay is to be proportionate for lesser service period upto a minimum of 10 years of service.
- Assured family pension: @60% of pension of the employee immediately before her/his demise.
- Assured minimum pension: @10,000 per month on superannuation after minimum 10 years of service.
- Inflation indexation: on assured pension, on assured family pension and assured minimum pension
- Dearness Relief based on All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW) as in case of service employees lump sum payment at superannuation in addition to gratuity 1/10th of monthly emoluments (pay + DA) as on the date of superannuation for every completed six months of service this payment will not reduce the quantum of assured pension.
AIDEF continues to be firm in its stand that the non-contributory old pension. The scheme is a inherent right of the government employees. The Supreme Court has ruled in several judgments that Pension is protected 300A of the Constitution. How can this pension be denied to a section of the employees and why 10% of the wages are cumulatively snatched away from the employees for paying them Pension. The struggle of the Government Employees especially Defence Civilian Employees will continue till we achieve the noncontributory Old Pension Scheme, responded C. Srikumar, General Secretary of AIDEF.
If the government can give the option of UPS from NPS, then what is the problem in giving the option of OPS? If 50% of the basic amount can be given in UPS, then 50% has to be given in OPS also. Changing the name does not change the work. Till now NPS was being praised, now UPS is being praised. Whereas the truth is that OPS is the shield of social security and it is the support of old age. Crores of employees of the country are demanding OPS only, said Vijay Kumar Bandhu, National President, NMOPS.
