Pensioners Stage Dharna For Restoration Of OPS

Government pensioners staged a day-long dharna in front of the District Collectorate here on Tuesday, demanding protection of pension rights and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

The protest was organised by the State Government Pensioners Association (SGPA), Anantapur district, in response to a call given by the All India State Government Pensioners Federation (AISGPF) and the State Government Pensioners Association, Andhra Pradesh.

District president Peddanagoud, who presided over the programme, opposed the Pension Rules (Validation) Act, 2025, and demanded its withdrawal. He also sought the inclusion of pension revision for employees who retired before January 1, 2026, in the Terms of Reference of the 8th Central Pay Commission.

District general secretary Sheela Jayaramappa explained the association’s demands, including reducing the pension commutation recovery period from 15 years to 10 years and eight months, scrapping the National Pension System (NPS) and Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), and restoring the OPS with full benefits for employees of the State and Central governments, PSUs and autonomous institutions.

The pensioners also demanded timely payment of DA/DR on par with Central government pensioners, cashless medical facilities, restoration of the earlier 50 per cent concession for senior citizens on railway and air travel, and full gratuity and commutation benefits.

They sought additional pension benefits from the age of 65 and periodic increases for elderly pensioners. AITUC district president Rajesh Goud, CPM State secretary Srinivasa Rao, CITU leaders Nagendra and RV Naidu, BSNL Pensioners Federation leader Rajasekhar Reddy and other union representatives extended solidarity to the protest.