Maharashtra government employees end strike

Govt employees were on an indefinite strike since March 14 demanding restoration of the Old Pension Scheme

First India Bureau Mumbai: Maharashtra government employees agitating for restoration of the old pension scheme (OPS) on Monday called off a weeklong strike after a meeting between their representatives and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde here, a union leader said.

Vishwas Katkar, the striking unions coordination committee’s convenor, claimed the state government has ‘in principle’ agreed to extend monetary benefits “equivalent” to the OPS to employees who are part of the New Pension System (NPS). He did not provide further details.

The government employees were on an indefinite strike since March 14 demanding restoration of the OPS which was discontinued in the state in 2005.

We had a series of negotiations with the state government employees. We told them we are in agreement with the idea of strong social safety net and proper resources for post-retirement life.

—Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister

Under the OPS, a government employee gets a monthly pension equivalent to 50 per cent his/her last drawn salary. There was no need for contribution by employees.

Under the NPS, a state government employee contributes 10 per cent of his/her basic salary plus dearness allowance with the state making a matching contribution. The money is then invested in one of the several pension funds approved by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) and returns are marketlinked. incurred heavy losses due to showers and hailstorms in the last few days in various parts of the state.

“The government officials have refused to sign on the damage assessment report or panchnamas and the state government is not taking firm steps to address this issue,” he said. Maharashtra Rev- enue and Animal Husbandry Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said, “We have asked officials to conduct a survey. We will ensure that the damage assessment reports will be finalised and it will be signed by officials.

Once we receive the details of farmers who lost their crops, we will disburse some assistance to them.”

However, Pawar and other legislators of the Opposition staged a walkout, saying the government’s reply was unsatisfactory.

Welcome decision, says CM Shinde

First India Bureau

Pune: Maharashtra CM

Eknath Shinde on Monday welcomed the decision of government employees, who called off their week-long strike over the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

“The State government is completely positive regarding the demand of the employees and the report of the committee, constituted for this, will be received at the earliest and an appropriate decision will be taken,” Maharashtra CM Shinde, adding, “I welcome this decision taken sensitively by the state government and semi-government employees considering the challenges facing the state. Meetings were held between the chief secretary, the CMO and representatives of various unions. Today, I held a meeting with representatives who positively responded to my appeal and decided to withdraw their ongoing strike.”

Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis thanked state employees for withdrawing strike and said government will be working on providing them benefits of good social security and proper resources after their retirement.

“The government committee will examine old and new pension systems and ensure that employees are provided with necessary benefits,” he said.