The National Movement for Old Pension Scheme (NMOPS) recently held a crucial online executive meeting, marking a pivotal moment in their ongoing fight to reinstate the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) across India. Led by National President Vijay Kumar Bandhu and National General Secretary Sthit Pragya, the meeting saw the active participation of State Presidents and General Secretaries from across the nation. The central focus of the meeting was the strong opposition to the newly announced Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) by the Modi government, which members believe is yet another betrayal of the employees’ trust.
Unified Pension Scheme: A New Controversy
According to NMOPS members, the UPS is essentially no different from the National Pension Scheme (NPS), which has been a contentious issue among government employees for years. The consensus among the attendees was unanimous—like NPS, UPS is perceived as a misleading policy that fails to secure the financial future of employees after retirement. The dissatisfaction and anger among employees nationwide are palpable, and NMOPS leadership is committed to channeling this discontent into a powerful movement demanding the restoration of OPS.
A Unified Voice for OPS
The meeting underscored a unified stance against both NPS and UPS, with members firmly asserting that nothing short of the original OPS would be acceptable. The overwhelming sentiment was that the government’s new schemes do not provide the security and benefits that OPS once offered, leading to widespread unrest among employees. NMOPS leaders emphasized that the struggle would not end until OPS is reinstated, and they outlined a series of strategic actions to maintain the momentum of their movement.
Upcoming Nationwide Campaigns:
To rally support and maintain pressure on the government, NMOPS has announced a series of upcoming campaigns and demonstrations:
All India Campaign on X (formerly Twitter) – 29 August 2024: On this day, NMOPS members and supporters across the country will take to social media, particularly X, to post with the hashtag #NoNPS_NoUPS_OnlyOPS. This online campaign aims to raise awareness and demonstrate solidarity in opposition to NPS and UPS.
Black Band Protest – 02 to 06 September 2024: Employees nationwide will participate in a symbolic protest by wearing black bands while performing their teaching or office duties. This silent resistance act is intended to demonstrate the collective dissatisfaction with the current pension schemes.
National Executive Meeting in Delhi – 15 September 2024: This meeting will serve as a critical juncture for NMOPS as they assess the progress of their movement and plan the next steps. The gathering in Delhi will likely see the formulation of more aggressive strategies to compel the government to meet their demands.
District Headquarters Demonstrations – 26 September 2024: In what promises to be a significant show of strength, NMOPS will organize large-scale demonstrations at district headquarters across India. These protests are expected to draw attention to the widespread opposition to NPS and UPS and put additional pressure on local governments.
National Convention in Delhi – October 2024: Should the government continue to ignore the demands for OPS restoration, NMOPS plans to hold a national convention in Delhi in October. This event will likely involve representatives from various states and could mark the beginning of even more intense actions.
Gherao of Parliament House – November/December 2024: As a last resort, NMOPS is considering a plan to gherao the Parliament House in Delhi. This protest would be one of the most direct actions taken by the movement and signifies the seriousness of their demands. Such a move is intended to send a clear message to the government that the employees are unwilling to back down until OPS is restored.
The Way Forward:
The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from all participants to continue the fight for OPS. The Presidents, General Secretaries, and other representatives from supporting states expressed their views, aligning themselves with NMOPS to ensure a unified, nationwide effort. The message from the NMOPS leadership was clear—this is not just a protest, but a movement to reclaim the rightful benefits that employees deserve.
As the nation watches, NMOPS is preparing to escalate their struggle to new heights, with the upcoming campaigns serving as crucial steps in their journey. The widespread anger over NPS and UPS is driving this movement, and NMOPS is ready to channel this discontent into a powerful force for change. The coming months will be critical, not just for NMOPS but for the thousands of employees looking to this movement for hope and justice.
In the face of government policies that they believe undermine their future, NMOPS members are standing firm in their demand for the Old Pension Scheme. Their battle cry is clear: “No NPS, No UPS, Only OPS!” The struggle continues, and with it, the hope that one day, the government will restore the pension scheme that employees believe is rightfully theirs.
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We are all agreed on OPS ,we will be thankful to those who implements it.