On Saturday, Teachers’ Day, a silent march was organised in Kolhapur city by the Maharashtra State Old Pension Coordination Committee to demand the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme for teachers and non-teaching staff. Kolhapur: On Saturday, Teachers’ Day, the Maharashtra State Old Pension Coordination Committee organised a silent march in Kolhapur demanding implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for teachers and non-teaching staff. A large number of employees took part in the march from Dasara Chowk to the District Collector’s office, with many wearing black masks in protest against the government’s policy.The delegation submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, demanding that the OPS be extended to teachers and non-teaching staff appointed before November 1, 2005.The association warned of intensifying the agitation if the government failed to take an immediate decision. It said an indefinite sit-in would begin at Azad Maidan, Mumbai, from September 28 if an order implementing the OPS was not issued by September 25.The organisation has demanded that the Maharashtra Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1982, and the Maharashtra Civil Services (Commutation of Pension) Rules, 1984, be extended to teachers and non-teaching staff appointed on regular pay scales in unaided and partially aided schools before November 1, 2005.Citing various government resolutions and circulars, the association said employees appointed on regular pay scales before the cut-off date had a legitimate right to OPS benefits.MLC Jayant Asgaonkar said, “According to the Finance Department’s GR dated February 2, 2024, a one-time option for old pension has been granted to officers and employees who joined government service before November 1, 2005. However, this option has not been extended to eligible teaching and non-teaching staff from the School Education Department. Why different criteria has been applied to employees of the same government?”Teacher leader Dadasaheb Lad said many teaching and non-teaching staff were facing financial hardship after retirement despite having rendered long years of service. “Some employees have been forced to sell vegetables or work as daily-wage labourers just to sustain themselves. The families of employees who die in service receive family pension benefits, while retired employees are compelled to live without a pension,” he said.
