GUWAHATI: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma cautioned that the state’s economy would face dire consequences if the government reverted to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for its employees.
Speaking in the assembly, he argued that employees retiring after 30-35 years of service under the National Pension System (NPS) would benefit, a viewpoint rejected by opposition members who staged a walkout.
Responding to independent MLA Akhil Gogoi’s query, Sarma cited data from the “FinAssam” portal, indicating that there are 4,34,454 pensioners under the Assam government, excluding those in the Sixth Schedule Areas.
Of these, 2,58,456 are under the NPS, while 1,75,998 are under OPS, the Assam chief minister informed.
CM Sarma emphasized that under the NPS, individuals joining service at a younger age stand to receive substantial pension amounts.
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However, he noted disparities based on years of service, highlighting potential challenges for those with shorter service durations.
He highlighted the significant pension bill of approximately Rs 1700 crore per month, expressing concern that transitioning back to OPS could lead to a pension bill surpassing the salary bill within five years, causing economic turmoil.
Acknowledging potential financial setbacks for some employees nearing retirement under NPS, Sarma mentioned the central government’s committee tasked with reviewing NPS and OPS, urging patience for their recommendations.
In response to Gogoi’s insistence on clarifying the Assam government’s stance on restoring OPS, Sarma dismissed the inquiry, stating that such questioning belonged elsewhere, leading to the opposition’s walkout in dissatisfaction.