New Delhi. The discussion among central employees regarding the 8th Pay Commission has intensified. After the recently held 49th meeting of NC-JCM (National Council-Joint Consultative Machinery), new hopes have arisen on the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), compassionate appointment and other service related issues.
What issues were discussed in the meeting?
Several key demands of the employees were considered in this meeting, which include: restoration of Old Pension Scheme (OPS), relaxation in rules of compassionate appointment, improvement in promotion process, facility of medical reimbursement, other pending service related demands. Employee organizations raised these issues strongly and demanded their inclusion in the recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission.
The biggest discussion regarding OPS
The biggest discussion in the meeting was about the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Employee representatives demanded that the benefits of OPS should be given to those employees whose recruitment advertisement was released before December 22, 2023, even if they were appointed later. Employees’ organizations say that due to the delay in the recruitment process, many employees switched to the New Pension Scheme (NPS), although it was not their fault. For this reason they should get the benefit of old pension.
There was also discussion on compassionate appointment
The issue of compassionate appointment also remained prominent in the meeting. Employee organizations demanded that in cases where the employee died in 2003 or before and the application was made on time, those families should also be linked to the old pension scheme. This demand can prove to be a big relief for those families who have been waiting for government assistance for a long time.
Difference between OPS and NPS
In India, after January 1, 2004, the old pension scheme was discontinued and NPS was implemented in its place.
OPS (Old Pension Scheme): In this, after retirement, about 50% of the last salary is given as pension and it gives lifelong security.
NPS (New Pension Scheme): In this, pension depends on market based investments, due to which returns are not fixed and risk also remains.
What to expect from 8th Pay Commission?
Employee organizations believe that the discussions held in this NC-JCM meeting may also impact the upcoming 8th Pay Commission. If the government agrees to these demands, lakhs of central employees and their families can get huge benefits.
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