Today, on February 16, 2024, the Nagaland National Pension System Government Service Employees Forum participated in the national strike organized by the All India State Government Employees Federation. The forum staged a peaceful dharna at the New Secretariat in Kohima, demanding the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the scrapping of the National Pension Scheme (NPS).
Representatives from six units of the forum located in Kohima, Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, and Kiphire came together for the dharna at the New Secretariat Kohima. Following the demonstration, a representation advocating for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme was submitted to the Chief Secretary of Nagaland.
The representation highlighted the grievances of over 32 thousand employees covered under the NPS. It emphasized that employees appointed after January 1, 2010, were mandated by the State Government to opt for the NPS, thereby depriving them of pension benefits upon retirement. The Forum expressed concerns about the irregularities of the NPS, labeling it as a corporate beneficiary lacking a secure future for employees. They underscored the fact that the NPS, being a private company, receives 50% contributions from both the state government and employees monthly.
The Forum urged the government to reconsider their request for reverting to the old Pension scheme, emphasizing the need for a more employee-friendly pension system.
Meanwhile, Moanungsang, the President of the Forum, announced plans to install units in all districts and organize peaceful mass rallies across the districts soon. Moanungsang also warned that if no positive response is received from the government, the forum would escalate its protests by initiating a pen-down strike and wearing black badges to further highlight their grievances.