Final Decision on Old Pension Scheme to be Taken in the Budget Session
| Chief Minister Calls for Officers and Employees to Withdraw Strike
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde today assured the Legislative Assembly that the final decision regarding the Old Pension Scheme will be taken in the upcoming budget session.
While providing information through a statement, Chief Minister Mr. Shinde said that the state has received the report of the committee appointed regarding the implementation of the Old Service Retirement Pay Scheme for officers and employees. Instructions have been given to study the report, and the Chief Secretary will present the government’s opinion on it. The government is firm on the principle that the financial and social security of retiring employees will be appropriately maintained as per the Old Pension Scheme. The government’s final decision on this report and the ensuing discussion will be consistent with this principle. Therefore, the final decision on this report will be taken in the upcoming budget session, and the Chief Minister has called for officers and employees to withdraw from the strike.
A meeting was held regarding various demands of the State Government Officers and Employees Coordination Organizations. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, along with legislators and representatives of various organizations, attended this meeting.
The government has received the report of the Subodh Kumar Committee, appointed earlier regarding the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme. This report was discussed in detail at the meeting. Significant positive decisions have been made on the demands raised by the Officer and Employee Organizations.
While providing information on the five important decisions taken by the state government as per the organisations’ demands, Chief Minister Mr. Shinde mentioned that appointments made before May 31, 2005, for notified positions, will be included under the Maharashtra Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1982. This proposal will be presented to the cabinet for approval, benefiting approximately 26,000 officers and employees. Additionally, decisions regarding increasing the pension for retirees over 80 years old, as per the central government, increasing the limit for retirement/gratuity contributions, reducing the reinstatement period for pension and provident funds, and a meeting regarding the service entry rules for the Finance and Accounts Department were discussed. The final decision on these is in the final stages, as informed by the Chief Minister.
The committee appointed for the Old Pension Scheme submitted its report to the government last week. A detailed study of the provisions suggested by the committee is necessary. The Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department and the Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department have been instructed to conduct this study. Both these officers will consult with the representatives of the organisation and present their opinions to the government through the Chief Secretary. The government is firm on the principle that the financial and social security of retiring employees will be appropriately maintained as per the Old Pension Scheme. The government’s final decision on this report and the ensuing discussion will be consistent with this principle. The final decision on this report will be taken in the upcoming budget session.
The government is positive towards the demands of the organizations, and the Chief Minister has called for the organisations to immediately withdraw from the strike and ensure that the general public does not face inconvenience.
Minister Shambhuraj Desai made the statement in the Legislative Council regarding this matter.
