In a landmark decision, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday unveiled the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS), a move designed to bring benefits on par with the discontinued Old Pension Scheme (OPS). This announcement effectively brings a close to the two-decade-long agitation spearheaded by the Joint Action Council of Tamil Nadu Teachers’ Organizations and Government Employees’ Organizations (JACTTO-GEO).
Key Features and Financial Commitment of TAPS
The new pension scheme is set to benefit a substantial more than six lakh government employees across the state. To kickstart TAPS, the state government will make an initial contribution of Rs 13,000 crore to the pension fund. Furthermore, it has committed to an annual contribution of Rs 11,000 crore as its share, with this amount slated to increase every year in alignment with salary revisions.
Under the provisions of TAPS, government employees are assured a guaranteed pension equivalent to 50% of their last-drawn monthly salary. While employees will contribute 10%, the government will shoulder the additional funding requirements. Pensioners will also receive the benefit of dearness allowance revisions twice a year, matching those provided to serving employees.
Additional Benefits and Compassionate Provisions
The scheme incorporates comprehensive welfare measures. In the unfortunate event of a pensioner's death, 60% of the pension will be disbursed as a family pension to the nominated beneficiaries. Additionally, government employees will be eligible for a gratuity of up to Rs 25 lakh upon retirement or in case of death during service.
TAPS also addresses past grievances. It offers a special compassionate pension for employees who joined under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and retired without pension benefits. The scheme further guarantees a minimum pension for those who retired without completing the qualifying service period.
Political Repercussions and Reactions
Following the announcement, Chief Minister Stalin took to social media, stating that the "Dravidian model government has fulfilled a 20-year-old demand of government employees." He framed the decision as a reaffirmation of the DMK's commitment to its electoral promise of restoring OPS. Stalin described TAPS as a New Year and Pongal gift to the state's workforce, emphasizing that despite severe financial constraints, the government would fully bear the expenditure to safeguard employee welfare.
The announcement was met with immediate approval from the employee unions. JACTTO-GEO welcomed the move and called off its indefinite strike scheduled from January 6. Representatives celebrated the decision by sharing sweets with the Chief Minister at the Secretariat. However, the move drew criticism from opposition leaders, including state BJP chief Nainar Nagenthran and PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss.
