The ongoing struggle for the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) in Haryana continues, despite a recent High Court verdict. The Pension Bahali Sangharsh Samiti, a dedicated group of employees, has welcomed the court's decision, but their fight is far from over. This organization, led by Vijendra Dhariwal, is determined to see OPS restored for all government workers.
The High Court's ruling is a significant step forward, but it's just one piece of the puzzle. The verdict states that employees in specific categories will be eligible for OPS benefits. These categories include those whose recruitment was advertised before October 28, 2005, but re-advertised later; employees initially appointed temporarily before January 1, 2006, and later regularized; and those appointed on compassionate grounds after the cut-off date. This ruling brings approximately 20,000 employees under the OPS umbrella.
However, the court's decision on the National Pension System (NPS) cut-off date is a point of contention. The court rejected the employees' plea to use August 18, 2008, as the NPS implementation date, instead of October 28, 2005. This has sparked further agitation, as the Samiti believes that this decision unfairly disadvantages employees.
Sanjay Singhmar, the district general secretary, emphasizes the long-standing nature of the employees' struggle. For 18 years, they have been campaigning for OPS restoration, facing police action and even lathi charges during their protests. The Samiti's determination is unwavering, with plans for OPS Sankalp marches in various districts and a major protest outside the Chief Minister's residence in Kurukshetra on February 7, 2027.
The Samiti's message is clear: the fight for OPS is far from over. They urge the state government to take immediate action, arguing that this could have been avoided if the government had listened to their concerns earlier. The organization's persistence and dedication to the cause are commendable, and their efforts will continue to shape the future of pension policies in Haryana.
