Ahead of elections, govt employees up in arms against UPS

In the run-up to the October 5 Assembly elections, the government employees are up in arms against the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) announced by the BJP-led Central Government while demanding the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

“The UPS is a bigger fraud with employees than the New Pension Scheme as it would benefit corporates more than the employees. The BJP government will have to pay a heavy price in the elections for not implementing the OPS and imposing the UPS on employees,” said Subhash Lamba, president, All-India State Government Employees’ Federation.

Lamba said implementation of the OPS made better economic sense for the government and employees as compared to the UPS or NPS. However, the government seemed to be adamant on the implementation of UPS without bothering for the welfare of the staff,” Lamba alleged, adding that a nationwide protest would be held by government staff on September 26.

On August 24, the Union Government approved the UPS for the benefit of nearly 23 lakh Central Government employees. The social security scheme is likely to be adopted by the BJP-led governments across the country. However, the Congress and other parties have attacked the government for the new scheme alleging that it failed to address the social security concerns of government employees. Congress MP Deepender Hooda, terming the UPS ‘anti-employee’, has promised to restore the OPS if the Congress formed the government.

The BJP has defended the UPS saying it is one of the best social security schemes in the county. “The UPS will go a long way in providing social security to lakhs of government employees. While the private sector does not provide any social security to a majority of workforce, the UPS will provide much-needed financial relief to government employees after retirement,” said Varinder Garg, joint treasurer of the Haryana BJP.