Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey NEW DELHI: Indian central government has approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for central government employees , which includes assured pension, minimum pension, and assured family pension. This announcement, made on August 25, comes amidst demands from the opposition for a comprehensive pension scheme and ahead of upcoming elections in four states. Anand Dubey , leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), emphasised that the approval was in response to persistent demands from the opposition.
"By bringing in the Unified Pension Scheme, the central government has proved that, due to the opposition's demand for a pension scheme since the last few months, they had to do so. This time the BJP won only 240 seats, so they know they had to bring some scheme for central government employees. Also, the election is going to be held in 4 states.
They could have brought this scheme earlier as well," Dubey said in a self-made video. The sentiment was echoed by Congress leader Rashid Alvi, who criticised the timing of the announcement. "The job the government should have done much earlier, they are doing it now out of pressure.
The whole opposition has been saying that the government must make some decision regarding pensions. Retired employees should get a pension based on their salary (before retirement), not just 50 per cent (of their salary) but they should get 100 per cent (of their salary). A central government employee retires after working for the country and this is what you are announcing for such people.
They are creating confusion," Alvi said. The Unified Pension Scheme, set to come into effect on April 1 next year, offers current central government employees under the National Pension Scheme (NPS) the option to remain with their existing plan or switch to the new scheme. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw provided details about the scheme following a union cabinet meeting, stating that approximately 23 lakh central government employees would benefit from the UPS.
"Today the Union Cabinet has approved Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for government employees providing for the assured pension. 50 per cent assured pension is the first pillar of the scheme. Second pillar will be assured family pension.
About 23 lakh employees of the central government would benefit from the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). There will be an option for the employees to opt between NPS and UPS," Vaishnaw said. He also clarified that the announcement of the UPS was not influenced by the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana.
The assured family pension will be calculated at 60 per cent of the pension of the employee immediately before their demise. Moreover, the assured minimum pension will be Rs 10,000 per month upon superannuation after at least 10 years of service. It will be proportionate for employees with a shorter service period, provided they have completed a minimum of 10 years of service.
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