Itanagar, April 13:
The Confederation of Service Associations of Arunachal Pradesh (CoSAAP), the apex body representing state government employees, along with the state unit of the National Movement for Old Pension Scheme (NMOPS), has announced a protest rally on April 17 in Itanagar. The rally aims to press for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) by replacing the existing New Pension Scheme (NPS).
The rally is scheduled to begin from Ramakrishna Mission Hospital and will culminate at Indira Gandhi Park. Organisers expect participation from a large number of government employees across various departments and districts, making it one of the major employee-led demonstrations in recent times.
Speaking to reporters at the Arunachal Press Club on Monday, CoSAAP president Likha Tej said the demand for OPS has been raised repeatedly over the years, but has not received the desired response. “Employees across the state have been consistently demanding the restoration of OPS, as the current system does not provide adequate financial security after retirement,” he said.
He further stated that the association would continue its democratic movement and urged the government to take a serious and time-bound decision on the matter. According to CoSAAP, the issue directly affects the future of thousands of employees and their families.
Highlighting the differences between the two systems, CoSAAP leaders said the New Pension Scheme is market-linked and does not guarantee a fixed pension, unlike OPS which ensures a defined benefit after retirement. They added that this uncertainty has created concern among employees, especially those nearing retirement.
NMOPS state president Tamchi Tani also reiterated the demand and appealed to the government to address the issue at the earliest. He indicated that further steps would be discussed after the rally, depending on the response from the authorities.
Both CoSAAP and NMOPS have appealed to participants to maintain discipline and ensure that the protest remains peaceful. They also called on civil society organisations and the public to extend support to the movement.
The upcoming rally is expected to draw significant attention, as similar demands for the restoration of OPS have been gaining momentum in several states across the country.
