IT Correspondent
Jiribam, Feb 16:
In a powerful display of unity and determination, as a part of the national strike, government employees in Jiribam District staged a sit-in protest today at the auto parking area in Jiribam, organized under the banner of the Manipur Government Services Federation.
The protest, led by Ch Dhiren Singh, Advisor of Manipur Government Services Federation, Jiribam branch, demanded the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) alongside a series of other vital reforms.
Protestors, holding aloft placards bearing messages such as “Release all pending DA/DR for eighteen months,” “Repeal PFRDA Act: Scrap NPS and Restore OPS,” and “Implement periodical pay revision once in five years,” voiced their grievances and called for action from the authorities.
Speaking to the media amidst the protest, Ch Dhiren Singh highlighted the critical issues facing government employees, including the early retirement age of sixty years, which has led to a significant number of vacant positions across various sectors. He urged for an increase in the retirement age to sixty-two years, a move already implemented in other states and categories.
Singh also underscored the insecurity stemming from the National Pension System (NPS), expressing concern that it jeopardizes the future of government employees, leaving them in a vulnerable position post-retirement. He pointed out that several states in India have already reverted to the Old Pension Scheme, emphasizing the urgent need for its restoration in Manipur.
The sit-in protest served as a poignant reminder of the collective voice of government employees, echoing their demand for a secure and dignified future. As they continue to stand united in their cause, all eyes are on the authorities to heed their call for reform and ensure the welfare of public servants in Jiribam and beyond.
Reliable sources indicate that after the protest, protestors convened a meeting at Jiribam Higher Secondary School for a strategic. Here, they chart out further plans, including the possibility of commencing a cease-work agitation starting from February 19, 2024.
