OPS: The Central Government has been informed after the implementation of the old pension scheme by the Government of Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Along with this, these state governments have asked for NPS money back from the Centre.
National Pension System: On behalf of the government employees of many states, there is a demand to implement the old pension scheme (Old Pensioin Yojana). The Central Government has been informed after the implementation of the old pension scheme by the Governments of Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. Along with this, these state governments have asked for NPS money back from the Centre. But the Modi government has refused to give this money. The Ashok Gehlot government of Rajasthan is engaged in making the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) a big issue before the state assembly elections.
OPS restored in April 2022
Apart from Rajasthan, the issue of old pension has also become important in other election states before the elections. OPS was restored in April 2022 by the Rajasthan government. After this, OPS was implemented in the rest of the states. In many states, employee organizations have increased the pressure on the concerned government. However, the central government had categorically refused to consider NPS. But by forming a committee, it is being considered to make the National Pension Scheme (NPS) employee friendly.
By adding interest, the total became Rs 40,157 crore.
Let us tell you that 10 percent of the salary and dearness allowance given to the employees under the National Pension Scheme (NPS) is deposited by the state government. OPS has 5,24,72 OPS accounts in Rajasthan. In this, Rs 14,171 crore was deposited by the government and Rs 14,167 crore was deposited by the employees. By adding interest, this money is Rs 40,157 crore. In the notification issued by the state government on May 19, 2022, it was said that the employees will have to return the NPS contribution along with interest to the state government.
The objections of the Central Government can be avoided,
now that the Center has clearly denied it, the State Government is planning to make changes in the notification. With this, the objections coming from the Central Government can be avoided. An official of the Finance Department told that this money belongs to the employees, so the state government cannot show it in its revenue. Instead, the government will ask the PFRDA to deposit a contribution of Rs 14,000 crore in the NPS. The government will deposit the contribution given by the employees in GPF, which was started in 2021.
Out of 5.24 lakh employees appointed after January 2004, 3554 have retired a year back. Such employees have not been able to get the benefit of pension. It has already been clarified by the Central Government that the money deposited in NPS will not be returned to the State Governments.
