The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), which offers an assured pension of 50 per cent of average basic salary received during 12 months before the retirement month for government employees with 25 years of service. It guarantees family pension of 60 per cent, and minimum pension of Rs.10,000.
The government employees and teachers across the country oppose this. Specifically, questions are being raised whether UPS is applicable to Tamil Nadu where Contributory Pension Scheme is currently is in effect. There is strong opposition to the Integrated Pension Scheme in Tamil Nadu. Protests continue with the demand for the old pension scheme.
It is demanded that the government has the responsibility to ensure social security for the government employees who have worked for the government for 30 to 35 years in their life time and after their retirement. For the DMK government is a commitment as per its election promises. Mr, Thangam Tennarasu, the Tamilnadu Finance Minister has said that Chief Minister M. K. Stalin will soon announce a better pension scheme.
As a result of continuous and persistent protests by lakhs of government employees and teachers, the new pension scheme was scrapped and the old pension scheme was implemented in the states of Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh. Will the Tamil Nadu government take same step and implement the old pension scheme without further delay?
Government employees and teachers are waiting with hope when Chief Minister M. K. Stalin will announce that sweet news!