Teachers, officers and employees from across Uttarakhand are scheduled to hold a major rally in Dehradun on 2 November, demanding the restoration of the old pension scheme. The demonstration will be led by the National Old Pension Restoration United Front Uttarakhand, also known as NOPRUF.
The organisation said the protest has received support from 65 employee and teacher groups. It expects significant participation from government departments, including employees travelling from remote hill districts.
Rally route and planned protest
According to NOPRUF, the rally will begin at Parade Ground in Dehradun. Participants will then march towards the Chief Minister’s residence and stage a protest there to press the government to restore the old pension scheme.
The front said the programme would be conducted with discipline and coordination. It may also announce its further strategy and upcoming programmes during or after the rally.
The preparations were reviewed at a meeting of the front’s state executive on the preceding Sunday at the Public Works Department Union Building in Dehradun. The meeting covered organisational coordination, arrangements for the rally and participation from employees arriving from different parts of Uttarakhand.
Support from 65 organisations
State general secretary Sitaram Pokhariyal said the backing of 65 employee and teacher organisations showed that the pension issue had become a common concern across departments. He described the campaign as a shared demand rather than an issue limited to one organisation.
Pokhariyal appealed to teachers, officers and employees throughout the state to join the event in large numbers. He said the front was pursuing a decisive campaign for restoration of the old pension scheme.
The organisation has linked the demand to employees’ long-term financial security and the social protection available after retirement. It has urged staff to put aside organisational differences and participate in the movement.
Appeal to employees across Uttarakhand
NOPRUF has called on employees from Pauri, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Tehri, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Champawat and Almora to reach Dehradun for the rally. It has also appealed to personnel from Nainital, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar and Dehradun to participate in large numbers.
The front made a special appeal to teachers and employees ed in remote mountainous areas. It also sought participation from women employees, younger staff and workers nearing retirement.
The planned demonstration could bring together employees from several departments and regions at one location in Dehradun. Its immediate focus is to present the demand for pension restoration to the state government through a coordinated public protest.
Conclusion
The 2 November rally in Dehradun is being organised by NOPRUF with support from 65 employee and teacher organisations. Participants plan to march from Parade Ground to the Chief Minister’s residence and seek restoration of the old pension scheme.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When is the pension rally planned?
The rally is planned for 2 November.
Q. Where will the rally begin?
It will begin at Parade Ground in Dehradun.
Q. Where will the participants march?
Participants plan to march from Parade Ground towards the Chief Minister’s residence.
Q. What is the main demand of the protest?
The main demand is restoration of the old pension scheme.
Q. How many organisations support the rally?
The rally has received support from 65 employee and teacher organisations.
Q. Which organisation is leading the protest?
The National Old Pension Restoration United Front Uttarakhand, or NOPRUF, is leading the protest.
Q. Which employees have been asked to participate?
Teachers, officers and employees from departments across Uttarakhand have been invited. The appeal also includes staff from remote hill districts, women employees, younger workers and employees nearing retirement.
