Employee unions across Rajasthan have launched strong protests against a recent state government directive that mandates educational institutions and autonomous bodies to finance pension payments from their own resources. The controversy centers around the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and has sparked widespread discontent among government employees.
Unions Demand Complete Withdrawal of Controversial Order
The conflict erupted following an order issued by the state finance department on October 9, 2023, which stated that financially constrained institutions could opt out of the Old Pension Scheme. Employee unions argue that autonomous bodies lacking adequate financial provisions should receive government support for pension disbursements rather than being forced to arrange funds independently.
Vinod Kumar, State Coordinator of the New Pension Scheme Employees' Federation of Rajasthan (NPSEFR), expressed strong criticism of the government's position. "The recent order is a clarification of the October 9 order issued by the finance department. The government has not retreated even one inch from reintroducing NPS in state autonomous bodies (SAB)," Kumar stated. "The government should either close the financially unviable SABs and adjust the employees or provide fund grants and keep OPS applicable."
Government Clarification and Union Response
The state finance department provided clarification on Wednesday, specifying that institutions including boards, corporations, government undertakings, autonomous bodies, and universities that had the GPF Linked Pension Scheme or Old Pension Scheme in place by October 31, 2023, would continue following this scheme. However, the department urged all other institutions, except fully aided ones, to arrange pension payments from their own funds.
The Akhil Rajasthan Rajya Karmchari Sanyukt Mahasangh has taken a firm stand against the government's order. State President Mahavir Sharma and General Secretary Mahavir Sihag of the Mahasangh announced that a massive conference of employees from across the state will be organized in Jaipur on December 14 to address this demand along with other employee concerns.
Escalating Tensions and Planned Protests
The employee unions have warned of intensified agitation if their demands are not met. "If the state government does not fulfil the Mahasangh's demands, a bigger agitation will be announced on December 14," declared Sihag, indicating the seriousness of the union's stance.
The unions maintain that financially unstable boards and corporations should receive adequate funding from the state government for pension disbursements rather than being compelled to manage these expenses independently. They insist on the complete withdrawal of the October 9 order and proper government funding for pension schemes across all state-supported institutions.
As the December 14 conference approaches, tensions continue to mount between employee unions and the state government, with both sides appearing firm in their positions regarding pension scheme implementation and funding responsibilities.
