GUWAHATI: The fraternity of teachers and employees in Assam will observe Wednesday, February 1, 2023, as Black Day along with a one-day strike on February 10, 2023, demanding the restoration of the Old Pension System in the state. This was informed by the President of All Assam Government NPS Employees Association, Achyutananda Hazarika in a press meeting held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at the Guwahati Press Club.
At a time, when the administration claims to be catering to public welfare, reform and development-oriented, the 9,000 teachers and employees who have retired under the National Pension System (NPS) otherwise paint a different picture.
As per the association, the state government employees are worried about their future financial aspects post-retirement. According to the All Assam Government NPS Employees Association, the demand for restoration of the Old Pension System was made by more than 30,000 individuals on behalf of the workforce of the Assam Government, last year, on November 8, 2022, seems to have been treated as insignificant like other requests.
The Association claimed in the press meet that the working class of Assam is determined to ensure its future security interests and is now ready to unite and fight until the OPS (Old Pension System) are restored.
“As 99% part of the Government machinery, we demand the goodwill of the government. If we are expected to do 100% work and efficiency, our demands must be given proper weight,” said Achyutananda Hazarika.
This may be mentioned that, despite intense pressure from the administration, more than 30,000 teachers, officers and employees had earlier gathered at the Khanapara area in Guwahati.The teachers, officers and employees who had assembled at the area demanded that the government resolved the issue.
Notably, the state employees will continue their agitation until the state government cancels the NPS system and reintroduce the old pension system.
