Lok Sabha Elections 2024: The results of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 are out. These results have been shocking and surprising for the BJP. Not taking any concrete decision on 'old pension' in the country has cost the BJP heavily. According to experts, the displeasure of 10 crore government employees in the Lok Sabha elections has given a big blow to the BJP. On the other hand, the India Alliance, which has a soft corner policy on old pension, has got the support of government employees. Especially in Uttar Pradesh, where NDA and India Alliance were monitoring the results, the civil servants disappointed the BJP and promoted the India Alliance. Apart from this, the issue of old pension has also been important in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and many other states. Even though the central employee organizations had given time to the government to take a final decision on OPS, there is still resentment among the employees. When it was repeatedly said from the Center that old pension will not be given. A committee has been formed to improve NPS. This thing was bothering the employees.
This issue is on our minds, there is no backing down.
Shiv Gopal Mishra, convenor of the National Joint Council of Action formed for the restoration of old pension, had said before the Lok Sabha elections that any party which includes the issue of 'old pension restoration' in its election manifesto will get 10 crore votes. Number of employees and related issues. The Congress party has not directly included OPS in its manifesto, but senior party leader P. Chidambaram, while announcing the election manifesto, said, “This issue is on our mind. We are not backing down from it. We are waiting for the report of the committee formed by the central government in this matter. At the same time, during the election campaign, Rahul Gandhi maintained a soft corner on this issue. He did not refuse OPS. National Movement for Old Pension Scheme (NMOPS) President Vijay Bandhu met Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and appealed to him to include the issue of restoration of old pension and end of privatization in the party's election manifesto. Then Vijay Bandhu, with the help of his organization, raised a strong voice on the issue of OPS.
Made a historic journey of 18,000 kilometers for 33 days
Bandhu had undertaken a historic journey of 18,000 kms for 33 consecutive days last year to restore the support of old age, 'old pension' and to end privatization. Bandhu said, OPS's journey was a wonderful confluence of people's love, dedication and the power of the organization. Even during the Lok Sabha elections, he has been raising the issue of OPS on social media. He wrote on Twitter, who is winning in your Lok Sabha, OPS or NPS. On May 24, he wrote, “Based on the experience of 52 Lok Sabha seats of Uttar Pradesh, I can say that NPS is losing and OPS is winning.” No relaxation will be given until NPS is removed. There is money to spend crores of rupees in rallies, there is money for several quintals of flowers in road shows, there is money for several planes flying continuously during elections. Only the paramilitary forces do not have money to give old age pension. There is no money for permanent recruitment in the army. There is no money to fill the vacant posts.
A notice of nationwide strike was given to the government
C. Srikumar, member of Staff Side National Council (JCM) and general secretary of All India Defence Employees Federation (AIDEF), said, OPS has been an issue in the elections. This issue has gained a lot of momentum internally. The labour organisation submitted a list of demands to the Congress Party and India Alliance. The demands include restoration of arms factories to their previous status, restoration of OPS by abolishing NPS, guarantee of formation of Eighth Pay Commission and payment of 18 months' DA arrears. The Steering Committee had earlier announced an indefinite strike. The employee organisations were to give a notice of nationwide strike to the central government on March 19. After this, it was announced to go on strike from May 1. Later the government said that the committee's report has not come yet. The government needs some time for this. Due to which the employees withdrew their strike.