Staff Reporter
Guwahati, February 26: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma of Assam responded to mounting concerns surrounding the National Pension System (NPS) and the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) speaking on the state's stance amidst a nationwide discussion. As of today, Assam government faces a staggering pension bill amounting to RS 1700 crore per month. Warning of dire consequences, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has declared that a shift to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) could spell disaster for the state. Sarma cautioned that within five years, the Assam government would be pushed to the brink of destruction and bankruptcy if OPS were reinstated. "There will be no way to run the government," he stated. "If pension has to be given like this, then the Assam economy will fall down," Sarma added. Chief Minister Sarma said that the Central Government has formed a committee to deliberate on the intricacies of the NPS and OPS. Assam, in solidarity with its citizens, has proposed a crucial suggestion: the assurance of a pension, regardless of whether one is enrolled in OPS or NPS. This proposal, echoed in the Kerala budget session, emphasizes the importance of providing a safety net for retirees across the country. Highlighting the disparities among states, Sarma pointed out the varying pension systems, notably citing the absence of dearness allowance (DA) in West Bengal compared to Assam's provision of DA. He stressed the need for collective action and uniformity in pension provisions. Addressing concerns raised by legislators, Sarma elucidated on the challenges faced by some retirees under the NPS, citing instances of meager pension amounts received by certain teachers. However, he clarified that these individuals were from venture schools and had not completed the required tenure of service, making their inclusion under the NPS not legally binding. Responding to queries regarding a potential shift from NPS back to OPS, Sarma reassured that the new generation of employees, including the recent 1 lakh youth hires, would likely receive more substantial pension benefits after 35 years of service compared to OPS. He stated that the teachers mentioned by Akhil Gogoi were from venture schools and had not fulfilled the requisite tenure of service according to the Assam government's criteria.
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