AP government employees demand scrapping CP scheme

Vijayawada: All government employees, including those from the Centre and others from the state, threatened to go on an indefinite strike if the government failed to withdraw the contributory pension scheme  (CPS). The employees, led by Pension Sadhana Samiti, held a state-level meeting here on Saturday. The employees also demanded cancellation of NPS. National leaders of the unions, leaders from Karnataka, Tamil Nadu also attended the meeting and expressed their solidarity towards the agitation.

It was decided that they would organise agitations against CPS in a phased manner. On Jan. 9, dharnas will be held at Taluka centres, on Feb. 10, rallies in the district centres and later Chalo Assembly programme have been scheduled by the employees. AISGEF general secretary A. Sreekumar, who was the chief guest to the meeting, said: “NPS means No Pension Scheme. This has been approved by the IMF and World Bank. There is no guarantee for our pension in the CPS. A huge amount of it is being given towards market risk, which we have to stop at any cost”.

AP NGO Association president P. Ashokbabu said they will jointly fight against CPS, up to its abolishment. He said that, “it is a matter concerning 50 lakh employees and involving crores of rupees. The state government, which has signed in 2004, can come out of the scheme now also. We will appeal to the state government to do it.” Leaders from Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu have expressed solidarity and assured that they will fight against CPS with the coordination. The Seminar has given inspiration to the employees that they can achieve the goal of abolishment of NPS or CPS with the Pension Sadhana Samiti joint struggle of State, Central Government Employees and Teachers, Mr.Sagar, AP NGO Association leader has opined.