Gujarat : Employees demanding Old Pension Scheme detained in Gandhinagar

Gandhinagar : In a dramatic turn of events on Friday, the Gujarat police took into custody approximately 50-60 government employees who were fervently advocating for the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) at the state secretariat gate. The detained individuals, predominantly associated with various employee unions and federations, were staging a demonstration demanding the return of the OPS.

The Gandhinagar police intervened as around fifty to sixty demonstrators gathered at Sachivalaya gate number 1, part of a larger contingent comprising more than a hundred government employee federations expressing their unified plea for the OPS’s revival.

Gujarat : This is how the Gandhinagar police detains government employees demanding Old Pension Scheme in #GujaratMeinBhiKejriwal #opsdemand #ElectoralBondScam #PMCaresFund #stockmarketcrash pic.twitter.com/swsE0wRpCu

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This protest marked yet another poignant display of dissent as thousands of employees, representing numerous government employee unions and federations, congregated in Gandhinagar to voice their opposition to the OPS’s abolition, fixed pay, and contractual employment conditions.

The intensification of demands for OPS implementation in the coming days looms large, spurred by recent announcements of OPS adoption by several other states. These federations have persistently advocated for OPS restoration for over two years, underscoring the gravity of their grievances.

Government employees, encompassing teachers and personnel from various departments, have been staging individual protests for OPS across different districts of Gujarat in recent days. From organizing demonstrations to donning black badges at district offices, their efforts culminated in a consolidated demonstration on Friday, reiterating their steadfast demands.

In addition to OPS reinstatement, the confederation of employees articulated their grievances, calling for an end to the fixed salary scheme and resolution of unresolved issues with the government.

Amidst these protests, employees resolutely emphasize the government’s obligation to fulfill promises made in 2022, particularly highlighted during a meeting with ministers on September 16 of that year. Despite assurances, the pledged actions remain unfulfilled, prompting renewed protests across the state, notably converging in Gandhinagar.

The resurgence of the OPS issue, especially with the impending Lok Sabha elections, underscores the pressing concern it poses for the BJP-led Gujarat government. As tensions escalate and voices of dissent grow louder, the fate of the OPS and the government’s response loom large on the political horizon.