Nagaland government employees’ forum holds car rally demanding restoration of Old Pension Scheme

KOHIMA — The Nagaland National Pension System Government Service Employees Forum (NNPSGSEF) on Tuesday organised a car rally and sticker campaign from Indira Gandhi Stadium via High School and NLA Gate, culminating at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat in Kohima, reiterating its demand for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

Flagging off the rally, NNPSGSEF president Avizo Nienu said the demand for restoration of the Old Pension Scheme was not for personal benefit but to secure the lives of many people and safeguard the elderly and senior citizens of Nagaland.

He informed that similar rallies were being organised across all districts of the state to remind the government that the forum continues to stand for the future of Naga citizens and will persist in advocating for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme. Nienu expressed hope that the government would do justice for the welfare of state employees and citizens alike.

Forum vice president Jentinochet said the car rally and sticker campaign served as a reminder that the demand for OPS remains unchanged. He clarified that the campaign was not directed against the government or any individual but against a system that promotes a market-linked pension. Referring to the white flags displayed on vehicles, he described them as a visual appeal to the government for dialogue.

NNPSGSEF general secretary Imnasenla Pongener said the initiative was about more than stickers, describing it as an effort to spread a message of unity, responsibility and awareness. She said every vehicle participating in the rally symbolised the call for a secure and guaranteed pension, similar to what employees under the Old Pension Scheme receive post-retirement.

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Following the rally, forum members submitted a representation to the Chief Secretary at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat, urging the government to restore the Old Pension Scheme under the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972 (now 2021), for state government employees appointed after January 1, 2010, who currently fall under the National Pension System (NPS).

According to the representation, the NPS, introduced by the Ministry of Finance in December 2003 and implemented for central government employees (except the armed forces and judiciary) from January 1, 2004, was adopted by the Nagaland government on January 1, 2010. Consequently, employees appointed thereafter automatically came under the contributory NPS.

The forum maintained that the NPS has been detrimental to employees’ welfare, depriving them of post-retirement benefits despite years of service.

It stated that growing dissatisfaction among employees led to the formation of NNPSGSEF, which now represents over 35,000 members.

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Explaining the NPS structure, the forum said 10% of an employee’s basic pay and dearness allowance (DA) is deducted monthly, while the state government contributes 14%. Upon retirement, the accumulated fund is split 60:40, with 40% mandatorily invested in the market for annuity generation, leaving pensioners vulnerable to market fluctuations. In case of death, the accumulated amount is divided 80:20 if it exceeds INR 5 lakh, with 20% paid to the nominee and 80% invested in the market.

Describing the NPS as a “market-linked and non-guaranteed system,” the forum asserted that it offers neither fixed returns nor minimum pension security. In contrast, the Old Pension Scheme guarantees a lifetime pension of 50% of the last basic pay plus DA, along with periodic revisions through pay commissions and DA increments every six months.

The forum argued that the OPS ensures financial independence and social security in line with the Directive Principles of State Policy, while the NPS lacks such safeguards. It further noted that several states have already reverted to the Old Pension Scheme after identifying irregularities and dissatisfaction with the NPS framework.

Appealing to the Nagaland government to consider reversion to OPS, the forum said the scheme ensures more secure and guaranteed pension benefits for all state employees, thereby safeguarding the financial future of Naga generations.