Hyderabad: Telangana government employees, covered under the contributory pension scheme (CPS), on Friday submitted an open letter to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao through all the 31 district collectors stating that the abolition of CPS was a state issue proved by RTI replies and other necessary evidence obtained from various states.
The open letter was in response to the recent statement by the Chief Minister in the Assembly that CPS abolition was under the purview of the Centre and the state government had no role in it.
The Telangana State Contributory Pension Scheme Employees Union (TSCPSEU) accused some senior officials in the Chief Minister’s Office and finance department of misleading the Chief Minister on this issue.
Union president Sthita Prajna Gangapuram said, “The Union finance ministry in an RTI reply in March 2017 categorically said that except West Bengal and Tripura, all other States have voluntarily adopted CPS. Since this decision was taken by respective State Governments, it is up to them to take a call if they want to abolish CPS.”
He said the TS government had itself issued GO 28 in March 2014 adopting CPS and duly entered into an agreement with NPS Trust on a '100 stamp paper.
He said the TS government did not make any changes in CPS though there was an exit chance.
Mr Prajna said except West Bengal and Tripura, all other States had adopted CPS with different dates which proved that there was no mandatory enforcement by the Centre, but the volition of States played a pivotal role with regard to CPS.
“We request CM to take necessary action immediately to abolish CPS and restore OPS as it will save thousands of crores of rupees of contribution amount of the government and the employees towards CPS which are currently being diverted to stock market every month through PFRDA under CPS.”
The association offered to provide all evidence and even make a power point presentation about the benefits of abolishing CPS.
