Rajasthan
Old pension scheme: Retired staff want Chhattisgarh pattern to be followed for deposit of money in Rajasthan | Jaipur News
JAIPUR: The government employees, who retired before April 1, 2022, have demanded that they be allowed to deposit only the government’s share withdrawn after retirement under the National Pension Scheme (NPS), on a similar pattern as Chhattisgarh, in order to get the benefits of Old Pension Scheme (OPS). OPS was restored in Rajasthan with effect from April 1, 2022.
According to representatives of the New Pension Scheme Employees’ Federation of Rajasthan (NPSEFR), the state government has assured them of fulfilling their demand. However, a finance department official said the above-mentioned proposal was still not under consideration.
The notification issued by the Chhattisgarh government states, “In the cases of retirement/death of employees between November, 1, 2004 and the date of implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), to get benefits of OPS, have to deposit the government contribution and the dividend earned on withdrawal (till date) in the government fund.
“We have got assurance from the government that this demand of ours will be implemented soon. Around 3,500 government employees have retired from January 1, 2004 to March 31, 2022. However, only about 1,000 employees are eligible for pension. This will cost the state government around Rs 1 crore annually. We are hopeful that the government will fulfil our demand,” said Vinod Kumar, state coordinator, NPSEFR.
Earlier, the state’s finance department had issued an unofficial note stating that retired employees of autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, boards and corporations set up after January 1, 2004, are required to re-opt for the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) by June 30, and those who opt for it are required to deposit only the employer’s share of the contributory pension fund (CPF) received after retirement with a minimum interest of 12 per cent.
The note issued by additional chief secretary (ACS) finance Akhil Arora also stated that if a retired employee does not re-opt for OPS by June 30, it would be assumed that the employee wants to continue as members of CPF. “Once one opts for OPS, it would be considered final,” it stated.
According to representatives of the New Pension Scheme Employees’ Federation of Rajasthan (NPSEFR), the state government has assured them of fulfilling their demand. However, a finance department official said the above-mentioned proposal was still not under consideration.
The notification issued by the Chhattisgarh government states, “In the cases of retirement/death of employees between November, 1, 2004 and the date of implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), to get benefits of OPS, have to deposit the government contribution and the dividend earned on withdrawal (till date) in the government fund.
“We have got assurance from the government that this demand of ours will be implemented soon. Around 3,500 government employees have retired from January 1, 2004 to March 31, 2022. However, only about 1,000 employees are eligible for pension. This will cost the state government around Rs 1 crore annually. We are hopeful that the government will fulfil our demand,” said Vinod Kumar, state coordinator, NPSEFR.
Earlier, the state’s finance department had issued an unofficial note stating that retired employees of autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, boards and corporations set up after January 1, 2004, are required to re-opt for the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) by June 30, and those who opt for it are required to deposit only the employer’s share of the contributory pension fund (CPF) received after retirement with a minimum interest of 12 per cent.
The note issued by additional chief secretary (ACS) finance Akhil Arora also stated that if a retired employee does not re-opt for OPS by June 30, it would be assumed that the employee wants to continue as members of CPF. “Once one opts for OPS, it would be considered final,” it stated.
