SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, June 19: Railway employees currently enrolled under the New Pension Scheme (NPS) will now be eligible to receive the gratuity benefits of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) if they opt for the newly introduced Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), according to a recent government directive.
Md Zyauddin, Additional General Secretary of the East Central Railway Karmchari Union (ECRKU) and Dhanbad Rail Division PNM in-charge, stated that the central government has issued an option to NPS-covered employees to switch to the UPS, which includes a pension guarantee.
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“Initially, most railway employees were hesitant to accept the government’s offer. However, following the intervention of All India Railway Federation (AIRF) General Secretary Gopal Mishra, the Personnel Department issued a clarification on June 18, confirming that those who opt for UPS will also be entitled to the gratuity benefits provided under OPS,” Zyauddin said.
Minimum Gratuity of Rs 25 Lakh from January 2025
He further explained that under the UPS, employees will be eligible to receive a minimum gratuity of ₹25 lakh, effective from January 2025. This move is seen as a major relief for employees seeking financial security after retirement.
OP Sharma, Zonal Secretary of AIRF, called UPS a “significant reform” that enhances the social and economic security of railway employees. He also emphasized that the Federation is committed to pushing for further improvements to the UPS so that it can match the benefits offered under the Old Pension Scheme.
Sharma also mentioned that the AIRF is lobbying for the deadline to opt for UPS to be extended till June 30, allowing more employees to make an informed decision.
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Union Leaders Welcome Govt Decision
ECRKU leaders and members across Dhanbad Rail Division have welcomed the clarification and extended support to the UPS option. Among those expressing their approval were ECRKU Assistant General Secretary OM Prakash, Central Organization Secretary Netajee Subhash, Media In-charge NK Khwash, Branch Secretary Jitendra Kumar Saw, and others.
The clarification is expected to boost employee confidence and encourage wider adoption of the Unified Pension Scheme among railway staff.
