JAIPUR : In an attempt to woo state government employees ahead of 2023 assembly elections, chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday pulled off a masterstroke by reintroducing the old pension scheme (OPS) for employees who were appointed on and after January 1, 2004. Nearly 3 lakh employees in the state will be benefited by this move.
After restoration of the old pension scheme, the employees will get full pension when they retire. With this, the New Pension Scheme (Contributory Pension Scheme), which was introduced by the Vajpayee government in 2004, will end. This is likely to increase the pension by 30% to 40%.
He also announced that the benefits of the 7th Pay Commission would be provided to officials of roadways, RTDC and other autonomous bodies that have been deprived of it.
He also said ACP-related (assured career progression) anomalies in the pay scale of government employees would be resolved soon. “Changes will be made to the October, 2017, order and provisions would be made to provide the next grade pay as per our previous tenure (2013),” said the chief minister, adding it would cost the state government Rs 1,000 crore annually.
“We all know that the employees associated with government services should feel secure about future, only then they can make their invaluable contribution for good governance during the service period. Therefore, for all the personnel appointed on and after January 1, 2004, I announce the implementation of the old pension scheme from the coming year. ” Later speaking to the media, Gehlot said, “Other states should also think on similar lines.
If an employee gives 30-35 years of his service to an organisation, he should get security for his old age. In 2004, the then government might have taken the decision for some strong reasons, but now we need to think about it,” he added. The CM also announced a 20% increase in honorarium/allowances for elected representatives of urban bodies and panchayat institutions.
Tej Singh Rathore, state general secretary of the All Rajasthan State Employees Joint Federation said, “The decision of the chief minister to implement the old pension scheme and to provide the next pay grade, which was taken away by the previous government in 2008, is a good step for the employees. ” “This is a historic budget for the government employees of the state,” said Yash Pratap Singh, president of Rajasthan state employees joint federation (united).
