CHANDIGARH, June 30 — The Haryana government’s decision to implement the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) from August 1 has sparked fierce opposition from state employees, who have announced a statewide strike on July 9.
Led by the All-India State Government Employees Federation, workers accused the Nayab Singh Saini-led administration of enforcing the new pension system without consulting employees.
“This decision has been taken unilaterally, bypassing all dialogue with stakeholders,” said federation president Subhash Lamba. “Employees are seething with anger, and we will oppose this tooth and nail through democratic means—including the strike on July 9.”
Lamba said the government had earlier committed to giving employees a choice between the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and the New Pension Scheme (NPS), dating back to implementation plans in January 2006. “Now, it appears the state has backtracked on its promise. If the government claims to be employee-friendly, it must allow all three options—OPS, NPS, and UPS,” he added.
Central trade unions and both state and central employee federations have declared the July 9 strike, demanding the repeal of the PFRDA Act and full restoration of the OPS.
“Every state employee organization, including the Pension Restoration Struggle Committee, will join hands to make the strike a success,” said Lamba. “This is a battle for fairness, and the government must listen to its workforce.”
Outlining the differences between OPS and UPS, Lamba said that under OPS, employees contributed only to the General Provident Fund (GPF), and there was no salary deduction for pensions. The government could use these funds for public development projects.
In contrast, UPS mandates a 10% deduction from an employee’s salary, with an 18.5% government contribution, which must be invested in private sector markets. “This means the government cannot use this money for welfare or infrastructure. It’s purely market-bound,” he said.
He also criticized the retirement benefits under UPS, noting that the gratuity amount—up to ₹20 lakh under OPS—is drastically reduced in UPS. “What’s worse, UPS pensioners and their dependants won’t even get medical facilities that were available under OPS. It’s a direct move to benefit corporate houses at the cost of workers,” Lamba alleged.
As discontent grows, the government is yet to respond publicly to the accusations or demands for a broader pension choice. With strike preparations underway, July 9 is shaping up to be a major test of the state’s policy direction and employee sentiment.
