Rajasthan officials await directions on UPS execution

JAIPUR: No directions have been issued to the officials of the finance and pension department about the implementation of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), a scheme announced by the Centre for its employees, in Rajasthan.

During a video conference (which was organized for all states) with the Centre in the recent past, the officials of the finance dept were only familiarized with the new scheme. “It was a PPT presentation to inform the states about UPS. No directions have been issued by the officials concerned to start preparations for the implementation of UPS in the state,” said an official.

However, it is believed that the state govt will hardly talk about UPS before the by-polls to six assembly constituencies – Chorasi, Khinvsar, Salumber, Dausa, Jhunjhunu and Deoli-Uniara – in Rajasthan are over. The state govt is apprehensive about upsetting the govt employees over the implementation of UPS, replacing the old pension scheme (OPS), in Rajasthan.

It is noteworthy that at present over 1,300 retired employees are receiving the benefits of the old pension scheme (OPS) in Rajasthan.

Earlier, the All-India State Govt Employees Federation (AISGEF) and the All-Rajasthan State Employees Joint Federation had decided to reject the UPS announced by the Centre and launch a nationwide agitation against it.

The Rajasthan-based employee union, New Pension Scheme Employees Federation of Rajasthan (NPSEFR), said it would be difficult for the state govt to implement UPS for its employees in the state. It will create confusion among employees as OPS was restored here in April 2022, it said.

“When the state govt could not implement the 14 per cent contribution under NPS in Rajasthan due to excessive financial burden on it, how will it contribute 18.5 per cent of the employee's basic salary under UPS?” it asked. “Moreover, in the future, the govt might increase the employee's contribution from the current 10 per cent,” the federation said.
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Valentine's day wishes, messages and quotes !