Punjab Police detained Rajat Mahajan, president of the Old Pension Restoration Sangharsh Committee in Mukerian, on Sunday, shortly before Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s scheduled visit to Bhatla village, located near Garhdiwala. The detention was reportedly in response to the committee’s plan to stage a black flag protest against the government concerning the long-pending demand for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
Information was available with The Chenab Times that Mahajan was taken from his residence by the police and held at the Mukerian police station for approximately four hours. Committee members, including state coordinator Jasvir Talwara and several other leaders, condemned the action, alleging that the administration was attempting to suppress the voices of government employees rather than addressing their legitimate demands.
The leaders reiterated that the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme remains a critical demand for government employees across Punjab. They asserted that detaining individuals would not quell the ongoing movement, which they intend to continue until their demands are met. The committee members argued that the government should take immediate steps to resolve the issue.
As news of Mahajan’s detention spread through the town, a significant number of employees and supporters began gathering outside the Mukerian police station. According to the committee, the collective pressure exerted by colleagues and supporters led to Mahajan’s release later in the afternoon. Following his release, the organization’s leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the ongoing struggle for the OPS.
The Old Pension Scheme, which was phased out in favour of the National Pension System (NPS) in 2004, is a defined benefit pension plan that provided employees with a fixed monthly pension based on their last drawn salary and a government-guaranteed income after retirement. Proponents of OPS argue that it offers greater financial security and stability compared to NPS, which is market-linked and considered more volatile by many employees.
In recent years, government employees across various states in India have intensified their demand for the restoration of OPS. Several states, including Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Himachal Pradesh, have passed resolutions in their respective legislative assemblies advocating for the return of the old pension system. However, the implementation of these demands often faces hurdles related to financial implications and central government regulations, as pension is a subject that involves both state and central government concurrence in many aspects.
The Punjab government has been engaged in discussions with employee unions regarding pension reforms. While the administration has expressed willingness to consider employee demands, the financial burden of restoring OPS for a large contingent of state government employees is a significant factor being evaluated. The current government in Punjab, like many others, is navigating the complex fiscal landscape while balancing public sector employee welfare and economic sustainability.
The Old Pension Restoration Sangharsh Committee has been at the forefront of this campaign in Punjab, organizing various forms of protest and awareness drives. Their strategy of highlighting the issue through peaceful demonstrations and symbolic actions, such as the planned black flag protest, aims to put sustained pressure on the government to engage in meaningful dialogue and action.
The detention of Mahajan, seen by the committee as an attempt to silence dissent, has instead galvanized support and brought further attention to their cause. The gathering of employees outside the police station underscored the solidarity within the movement. The release of Mahajan, attributed to this public pressure, suggests that the administration is sensitive to widespread employee sentiment, even as it seeks to manage public gatherings during official visits.
The committee’s resolve to continue their agitation indicates that the issue of OPS restoration will remain a prominent concern for the Punjab government. The coming days are likely to see further engagement between employee unions and the administration as both sides work towards a resolution, or as the movement escalates its efforts to press its demands.
The Chenab Times News Desk