Congress Promises Old Pension Scheme in Haryana

In a recent development that could shape the upcoming Haryana elections, Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda has taken a strong stance against the Centre's new Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). Speaking at an event in Jhajjar, Hooda called the UPS "anti-employee" and promised that if the Congress party comes to power in Haryana, they will implement the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

The statement comes as Haryana gears up for Assembly elections scheduled for October 1. With pension schemes becoming a hot topic, Hooda's promise could potentially influence government employees' voting decisions. 

"The UPS is a bigger fraud with government employees than the New Pension Scheme (NPS)," Hooda declared at the event, where Olympic bronze medalist wrestler Aman Sehrawat was being honored. He went on to explain why he believes the UPS falls short of expectations.

According to Hooda, the UPS requirement of 25 years of service for full pension eligibility is particularly problematic for paramilitary forces. "Those who retire before completing 25 years of service will have to bear heavy losses. In such a situation, they will get only a meagre pension of Rs 10,000," he stated.

The Congress MP also pointed out that under the UPS, employees would receive only half of their basic salary as pension, after removing the dearness allowance (DA). He argued that this effectively halves the pension amount compared to what employees might expect.

Hooda's criticism of the UPS comes after the Union Cabinet approved the scheme on August 24. The UPS promises an assured pension of 50% of the basic salary for those who joined government services after January 1, 2004, and complete 25 years of service.

As the elections in Haryana draw closer, the pension debate is likely to become a key issue. The Congress party's promise to bring back the OPS, which was in effect before January 2004 and provided 50% of the last drawn basic pay as pension, could resonate with many government employees. 

This article is brought to you by The Haryana Story, your source for the latest news and developments in Haryana politics. As the state prepares for the upcoming elections, stay tuned for more updates on campaign promises, policy debates, and voter sentiments that will shape Haryana's future.