Disenchanted NPS employees of Uttarakhand to march to state assembly on August 25 in support of pensioners demand

Despite giving several memorandums to the present and former three Chief Ministers and almost all the ministers of cabinet, there is anger among the employees due to no progress regarding restoration of old pension of the employees.

As a sequel to their previous efforts, the National Old Pension Restoration United Front held an online meeting, presided over by State President Anil Badoni.

Interacting with the media, the chief of National Old Pension Restoration United Front Anil Badooni said that they has been continuously conveying their point of view to the government in many ways for the last two years. But, unfortunately the govt seems to be completely negligent as no cognizance has been taken on the restoration of old pension, despite our repeated please. This is indeed extremely painful said Badooni.

State Senior Vice President Dr. D.C. Pasbola said that the employees covered by the new pension system are retiring in thousands every year and above this new pension system, does not even have a sustenance pension. Moreover, the government being totally negligent towards their genuine demands, leaves no option but to protest in front of Uttarakhand Assembly after marching in thousands.

State General Secretary Sitaram Pokhriyal said that in the last five years, the slippers wandering at the doors of every MLA, MP and minister for restoration of pension were worn out, with no concrete outcome except empty n false assurances.

He added that the upcoming assembly session being the last session of the present government, the National Old Pension Restoration United Front is of the opinion that if the burning issue of restoration of old pensions is taken up in this session it will be a great obligation on them. However, to awaken the sleeping government a massive pensioner protest is the only alternative in the ensuing assembly session where participation of all pensioners is mandatory.

State Convenor Milind Bisht said that 80 thousand personnel of the state and their about 5 lakh families are at presently waiting for the restoration of old pension from the government.

State Press Secretary Dr Kamlesh Kumar Mishra said that the government is silent on the issue of old pension even after making constant requests. Employees are now compelled to break this silence, a strong message will be given to the government by gheraoing the assembly during the session.

Garhwal Mandal President Jaideep Rawat said that probably the old pension memorandums have been thrown in the garbage by the government. Because even an inch of progress is not visible in this direction. When no work is done even by request, then one has to come on the roads.

Garhwal Mandal General Secretary Naresh Bhatt said that pretending to send the resolution to the Center is proving that the state has pledged its discretion and capabilities to the Centre. Doing so is just an attempt to mislead the employees said Naresh Bhatt.
If pension restoration is the issue of the Center, then on what basis were the posts of DRDA employees created in 2015 and filled with old pension, whereas this did not happen in other states of the country asked Mr. Bhatt.

Kumaon Mandal office bearer Subodh Kandpal said that for a long time, the Pensioners United Front has been raising the voice of old pensioners in a soft manner. Now when the government sits with cotton in its ears, what to do, it becomes our compulsion to come on the roads.

Kumaon Mandal Women’s Vice President Renu Dangla said that the demand for restoration of pension was continuously brought to the notice of the government through the United Front, but the situation remained the same for three days. Now the government is in its last session. We will also have to make our strong efforts so that the voice of the employees reaches the leaders holding constitutional posts.

Kumaon Mandal Senior Vice President Rajiv Kumar said that the government has made the pension a matter of joke. What is the importance of this for the employees, will probably be known when the pension of MLAs will be stopped he said .

The participants in the virtual meeting were : Garhwal Divisional Vice President Rashmi Gaur, Ankit Rauthan, Shankar Bhatt, Ranveer Sindhwal, Rajiv Uniyal, Sandeep Maithani, Kunwar Singh Bisht, Ankush Nautiyal, Bhawan Singh Negi, Satish Kumar Singh, Purna Singh Farswan, Neelam Bisht, Girija Prasad Pant, Atul Shah, Swaroop Joshi, Rajendra Dev, Deepak Godiyal, Saurabh Nautiyal, Devendra Bisht, Shashi Chaudhary, Dr. Shailza Rohilla, Neelam Bisht, Rajni Rawat, Yamuna Rawat, Dr. Neelam Pandey, Khim Singh Khatri, Jyoti Nautiyal, Awadhesh Semwal, Pankaj Sajwan, Santosh Khanduri, Jaspal Rawat, Sonia Gaurav, Pankaj Badhani, Hira Bhatt, Yogesh Ruwali, Yogesh Ghildiyal, Pradeep Juyal, Rakesh Rawat, Manoj Bhandari, Madhav Nautiyal etc were present.