Raipur. There was a heated debate on NPS in the Assembly today. MLA Bhavana Bohra raised the issue of OPS (Old Pension Scheme) and NPS (New Pension Scheme) during Question Hour. Bohra said, what is the provision in NPS to keep the accounts of the employees and officers who have given consent for OPS if regular amount is not deposited in their accounts every month? What efforts will be made to adjust the amount being deducted currently and the amount already deducted under the NPS scheme? When will the NPS amount be deposited in the employees’ account? Has it been established or is it to be in the future?
Responding to this, Finance Minister OP Choudhary said that the establishment has not been done yet and action in this regard will be taken soon. Chaudhary also alleged that the previous government had a vulture eye on the Rs 19,000 crore deposited in PFDRA and wanted to take it and waste it. The government did not want to contribute even 10 percent of its share. He said, at present, regular deductions are being made from the salaries of officers and employees who have opted for NPS as per the provisions of the scheme. Finance Minister OP Chaudhary said that the previous government had replaced NPS (New Contributory Pension Scheme) with effect from 1 November. OPS (Old Pension Scheme) has been restored since 2004. In this regard, the notification of the Finance Department was issued on 11 May 2022 and the notification was issued on 20 January 2023. For this, provisions have been made for OPS pension. He said that the state government has to receive the total amount of Rs 19 thousand 136 crore 81 thousand not from the central government but from PFRDA. He alleged that the then government had abolished NPS and implemented OPS only because the government had a vulture eye on the Rs 19 thousand crore NPS. Chaudhary said that that money should be taken and destroyed.
Minister Chaudhary said, NPS was implemented in 2004. In this, 10 percent amount has to be given every month to the employee and 10 percent to the state government, but the previous government did not want to give 10 percent of its share. Along with this, she wanted to take the amount deposited in the last 18 years from 2004 to May 22, amounting to Rs 15 thousand crore and distribute it, so that the intention was to waste the state’s money. Chaudhary said that there is no provision to return money in NPS, so how did the previous government implement OPS. In such a situation, which pension scheme did the employees find good or bad? This is a different topic, but the previous government did not want to give its contribution, hence OPS was implemented.
Bhavna Bohra said, which of the two schemes is better? On this OP Choudhary said, those who believe in India’s development journey believe in NPS. NPS is more suitable for those who believe in India’s growth story.
