Cabinet secretary assures matter of providing benefits of the old pension scheme to be taken up in the next Cabinet meeting

The Cabinet secretary PK Sinha has given an assurance that the matter of providing all the benefits of the old pension scheme, which was discontinued previously, to employees will be taken up in the next Cabinet meeting.

This is a massive development and indicates that the Centre is willing to at least think about going back on the new pension scheme, which is being opposed by staffers. This development came after government employees from various states reached Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on Monday and staged a massive protest.

Following the protest, Cabinet secretary called these employees for a late night discussion. The latest update suggests that the outcome of the discussion has largely been positive.

He acknowledged the demand for old-pension scheme for the government employees and assured that this demand will be taken up in the coming Cabinet meeting. He said that efforts will be made to provide all the benefits of the old pension scheme, though name of the scheme might get changed. He said that efforts will be made to make a policy for the contractual employees so that these employees are not exploited.

Meanwhile the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced Monday that the old pension scheme will be restored by his government and he will write to his counterparts in other states to follow the suit. He said a resolution to restore the old pension scheme in the city will be passed in a special session of the Legislative Assembly.

"It will then be sent to the Centre for approval. I will fight with the Centre to get it implemented," Kejriwal said while addressing a rally organised by the All Teachers, Employees Welfare Association (ATEWA) at Ramlila Ground here. He said that he will also speak to his counterparts in West Bengal, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for implementation of the scheme.