Central government employees and pensioners are once again raising their long-standing demand for restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
Their frustration has intensified after the government notified the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the 8th Pay Commission on November 3 — a document they feel ignores several key concerns of both employees and pensioners.
What has added urgency is that the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) switching deadline — November 30 — is now just days away. Yet, most central government employees have been reluctant to opt for UPS, a clear indication that staff remain firm on their demand for the return of OPS instead of any new framework built over the National Pension System (NPS).
Employees unhappy with 8th CPC ToR
The National Council (JCM) Staff Side, which represents lakhs of central government employees and pensioners, held an extended meeting on November 15 to discuss the ToR and prepare the next course of action.
According to Staff Side leaders, the ToR has major gaps and fails to reflect crucial expectations of workers. Many organisations have flagged that the wording of the ToR itself is problematic and may restrict the Pay Commission’s ability to consider issues that matter to employees.
The biggest disappointment is the absence of any mention of the Old Pension Scheme and no clarity on pension revision for existing pensioners.
Restoration of OPS tops the list of demands
A unanimous view emerged in the NC JCM meeting: the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme must be added explicitly to the ToR.
The Staff Side has decided to send a formal letter to the Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Cabinet Secretary, and other top officials seeking:
-Inclusion of the restoration of OPS in the 8th CPC’s mandate
-Clear provisions for revision of pensionary benefits for existing pensioners and family pensioners
Removal of ToR clause (f)(iii) that refers to “unfunded cost of non-contributory pension scheme,” which employee bodies believe indirectly discourages OPS-type benefits
The insistence on OPS becomes more significant as employees are unwilling to switch to the Unified Pension Scheme, despite the deadline being just around the corner.
Wide-ranging suggestions sought for CPC memorandum
The NC JCM has asked all its constituent organisations to submit their inputs by December 15 for drafting the comprehensive memorandum to be placed before the 8th Pay Commission. Topics on which inputs are required include: Fixation of minimum wage; fitment factor; proposed pay structure; allowances (HRA, TA, risk allowance, night duty allowance, NE special allowances, etc.), MACP and promotion policy; medical facilities under CGHS and CS(MA) rules; revision of pension, gratuity, family pension, and commutation rules; regularisation of contractual staff; housing facilities and House Building Advance; and Parity between field and secretariat staff.
Once the Staff Side finalises the common memorandum, individual employee organisations will add their department-specific demands.
Summing up…
With the ToR failing to meet expectations and the UPS deadline fast approaching, central government employees and pensioners appear more united than ever on one core demand — bring back the Old Pension Scheme. The coming weeks will be crucial as unions prepare their official submissions and step up pressure on the government to revisit the ToR of the 8th Pay Commission.
