Employees in Uttarkashi staged a protest at Ramlila Maidan, demanding the restoration of the old pension scheme. During the demonstration, they burned copies of the National Pension System (NPS) and the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) to register their opposition.
The protest was organised following a call from the National Movement for Restoration of the Old Pension Scheme. A large number of employees assembled under the leadership of the organisation’s district president, Jai Prakash Bijalwan.
Employees reject both pension systems
The protesters said they had consistently opposed the National Pension System since it was introduced for government employees in Uttarakhand on 1 October 2005. They also said the Unified Pension Scheme was not acceptable to them.
According to the employees, their central demand is the return of the old pension scheme. They said their campaign would continue until that demand is accepted.
The demonstrators urged the government to resolve their demands at the earliest. They said employees would be compelled to begin a more intense movement if a positive decision was not taken soon.
The protest brought together employees associated with the campaign in Uttarkashi. Those present included Bhupendra Singh Bisht, Gopal Singh Rana, Virendra Singh, Jaiprakash Gaur, Virendra Singh Negi, Girish Uniyal, Aju Panwar and Ajay Rawat, among others.
What employees are seeking
The protesters’ position was focused on a single demand: restoration of the old pension scheme. Their action against copies of the NPS and UPS reflected their rejection of both systems and their continued pressure on the government.
The organisation has not announced a separate settlement through the demonstration. Instead, it reiterated that the movement would remain active until the old pension scheme was restored.
Conclusion
Uttarkashi employees have demanded the old pension scheme’s restoration and warned of an intensified movement if the government does not respond positively soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where did the employees hold the protest?
The demonstration took place at Ramlila Maidan in Uttarkashi.
Q. What did the protesters burn?
They burned copies of the National Pension System and the Unified Pension Scheme.
Q. What is the employees’ main demand?
They are demanding restoration of the old pension scheme.
Q. When did the National Pension System become applicable to government employees in Uttarakhand?
The employees said it became applicable from 1 October 2005.
Q. Who led the Uttarkashi protest?
The demonstration was led by Jai Prakash Bijalwan, the organisation’s district president.
Q. What warning did the organisation issue?
It warned that employees would launch an intensified movement if their demands were not addressed soon.
