Jharkhand: Dhanbad railway employees sit on hunger strike for Old Pension Scheme

THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK

Dhanbad, Jan 8: Railway employees under the Dhanbad Rail Division of East Central Railway today sat on hunger strike for the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for the staff who joined the organisation after January 1, 2004.

As per their pre-announced programme under the banner of East Central Railway Karmchari Union (ECKRU), the divisional employees sat on a hunger strike at the headquarters of the Dhanbad Division at 10 am today.

The hunger strike would continue till 5 pm. Central leaders Netaji Subhash and Somen Dutta are jointly leading the hunger strike.

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ECRKU Dhanbad Rail Division media spokesperson NK Khawas said employees are also observing at ECRKU branches of Patherdih, Katras and other places.

“We have only one demand. Removal of New Pension Scheme and implementation of the Old Pension Scheme for social security of the employees recruited after January 1, 2004,” said Nil Kamal Khawas.

Khawas said that most of the political parties have realized the importance of OPS in the interest of employees. Some state governments have adopted it. Though the central government has set up a committee for suggestions in the New Pension Scheme for improving employees’ pensions, all employee organisations have made it clear that employees would accept nothing less than OPS.