Telangana government staff to protest new pension scheme

Hyderabad: All state government employees associations will be coming under one umbrella to  oppose contributory pension scheme and demand restoration of old pension scheme. 

The associations have decided to launch agitation programmes in August to press their  demand. On the agenda is a public meeting in September in the city.

Out of 3.5 lakh state government employees, over 1.2 lakh  employees recruited after 2004 are covered by the contributory pension scheme.

Teachers associations have formed a Joint Action  Committee of Teachers Organisations to fight against the CPS, and employees associations in the Secretariat and offices of the heads of departments are  also following suit.

Associations criticised finance minister Etala Rajendar for stating that employees covered by the CPS would get more benefits than others after retirement.

“Employees covered under CPS are facing several hardships to claim pension benefits after retirement. The funds collected under CPS are being diverted to stock markets making the future of employees and their families uncertain by subjecting them to stock market risks,” said Mr A. Padma Chary, president, Telangana Udyogula Sangham.