BENGALURU : Chief minister Siddaramaiah promised a delegation of state government employees association, which met him on Tuesday, that he would bring back the old pension scheme (OPS).
Siddaramaiah promised the association that a decision will be taken soon, emphasising the government’s commitment to stand by employees who are currently under the new pension scheme (NPS).
During the meeting, Siddaramaiah told the delegation that he has commenced within the government to facilitate a return to OPS. He said the state is exploring measures to cease employee contributions to NPS.
Addressing concerns over implementation of the 7th Pay Commission, Siddaramaiah said a decision would be made once the government-constituted commission submits its report.
The association, led by its president CS Shadakshari, urged the CM to implement the recommendations promptly, emphasizing the need to do so before the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections comes into effect.
The delegation expressed dissatisfaction that the committee has completed nearly a year without progress.
The government constituted the one man-committee headed by an additional chief secretary on March 1 last year. Its mandate was to study how some states in the country, which had reverted to OPS, implemented the scheme. The committee is yet to submit its report.
However, some employees anticipate challenges in simultaneously implementing both OPS and effecting a hike in pay. Citing concerns about fulfilling poll promises and the potential long-term impact on the state exchequer, some former office bearers expressed scepticism about the immediate implementation of these measures.
They point out that the government is already struggling to arrange revenues for its five guarantees. The estimated financial burden of the 7th pay commission alone is substantial, with projections indicating an annual expenditure of over Rs 13,000 crore for salaries of the state’s six lakh employees.
Besides pension-related discussions, the CM promised employees that the Karnataka Arogya Sanjeevani Scheme, a health insurance initiative, would be promptly implemented for government employees and their families.
Siddaramaiah promised the association that a decision will be taken soon, emphasising the government’s commitment to stand by employees who are currently under the new pension scheme (NPS).
During the meeting, Siddaramaiah told the delegation that he has commenced within the government to facilitate a return to OPS. He said the state is exploring measures to cease employee contributions to NPS.
Addressing concerns over implementation of the 7th Pay Commission, Siddaramaiah said a decision would be made once the government-constituted commission submits its report.
The association, led by its president CS Shadakshari, urged the CM to implement the recommendations promptly, emphasizing the need to do so before the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections comes into effect.
The delegation expressed dissatisfaction that the committee has completed nearly a year without progress.
The government constituted the one man-committee headed by an additional chief secretary on March 1 last year. Its mandate was to study how some states in the country, which had reverted to OPS, implemented the scheme. The committee is yet to submit its report.
However, some employees anticipate challenges in simultaneously implementing both OPS and effecting a hike in pay. Citing concerns about fulfilling poll promises and the potential long-term impact on the state exchequer, some former office bearers expressed scepticism about the immediate implementation of these measures.
They point out that the government is already struggling to arrange revenues for its five guarantees. The estimated financial burden of the 7th pay commission alone is substantial, with projections indicating an annual expenditure of over Rs 13,000 crore for salaries of the state’s six lakh employees.
Besides pension-related discussions, the CM promised employees that the Karnataka Arogya Sanjeevani Scheme, a health insurance initiative, would be promptly implemented for government employees and their families.