In Punjab, the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) has assured support to the Punjab State Ministerial Services (PSMS) Union in its fight for the implementation of the old pension scheme (OPS). The staff from various government medical colleges as well as the Rajindra Hospital in Patiala have supported the strike call by the PSMS Union. Naturally, medical services have been affected in the State.
The Punjab Civil Medical Services Association has been demanding the implementation of the OPS, reinstatement of 4-9-14 assured career progression scheme, clearance of arrears under the 6th Central Pay Commission, release of the pending instalments of dearness allowance (DA) and correction of the pay irregularities of employees appointed under the Seventh Pay Commission.
There is already a dearth of medical officers, and if the increments and benefits being demanded are not granted, the attrition rate will only increase. This, in turn, will worsen the staff situation in government hospitals.
In Ludhiana, Members of the PSMS Union have been on strike for the last 21 days, and plan to carry on till 6 December 2023. Despite staging demonstrations across various districts of Punjab since 8 November, the strikers’ have received no positive response from the government. The clerical staff working in different government departments such as revenue, transport, DC offices, irrigation, public works department (PWD), soil conservation, water and sewerage board and many more have been on strike, the authorities have not paid any heed.
In Assam, government employees are gearing to build up their stir for the old pension scheme as they feel employees have a right to adequate pension. At a recent meeting of the All Assam Government NPS Employees Association (AAGNPSEA) organized with support from the Joint Coordination Committee for OPS Assam and the Joint Forum for Restoration of OPS Assam, it was decided that they would demand the cancellation of the National Pension System (NPS) with more strength and seek increased pensions for all employees and teachers of the Assam government, as per the OPS.
They are also demanding that the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Act (PFRDA) Act, 2013, be withdrawn at once. According to them, clauses of NPS are included in the PFRDA Act, 2013, and without canelling this legislation, employees will have to struggle even if the OPS is reinstated.
