DEMAND FOR OPS SPREADS TO JAMMU & KASHMIR

Report by Kona Vishnu, Coordinator International Affairs 

& Coordinator Social Media, AIRF, India.

        

Srinagar the largest city of Jammu and Kashmir and Summer Capital witnessed a congregation of leaders from different Central Government trade unions such as Indian Railways, Defence, Posts & Telegraph and State Government employees trade unions such as Primary Teachers, Upper Primary, High School Teachers, Junior College Lecturers, Sanitary Workers, Health Workers, Municipal workers, Water and Electricity Board Workers etc., came together at the call given by Com Shiva Gopal Mishra, Convener, Joint Forum for Restoration of Old Pension Scheme (JFROPS).

 

Welcoming the gathering Com Shiva Dutt Sharma, Divisional Secretary, Ferozepur Division, NRMU (NR) gave a brief introduction of the ill effects of National Pension Scheme (NPS) and stated that Com Shiva Gopal Mishra, has traveled from Siliguri to Srinagar after attending a similar program on the 06 July 2023 had arrived to Srinagar on 08 July 2023. He then explained the grave impact of NPS on the working class. Despite raising concerns by all the federations PAN India, the Govt of India has ignored the movement is gradually catching up with the momentum after the JFROPS was formed on 23 January 2023 with demonstrations/protest rallies every month on 21.

 

        Com Shiva Gopal Mishra emphasized the need for scrapping of NPS and restoring Guaranteed Defined Old Pension Scheme (OPS). He said "Every worker needs security at a time when he approaches retirement at 60 years of his/her age. With the implementation of NPS the money deducted from the salary of an employee is invested into the Stock Market, wherein the fortunes can go down and there is no guaranteed return, when it is required the most." He angrily said that "We cannot afford to spend our hard earned money to be used and gambled in Stock Markets. He reiterated "We want a Guaranteed, Defined Old Pension Scheme and nothing less than that" The audience cheered along with Sloganeering "NPS GO BACK - GO BACK, GO BACK" and "Com Mishra Aagey Badho Hum Aapkey Saath Hain".

        The meeting ended with a request from Com Shiva Gopal Mishra that every organization must be present at the mammoth "March to Parliament" that is scheduled to be held on 10 August 2023 by JFROPS while the Indian Parliament will be in session.