Haryana cabinet okays Unified Pension Scheme, aims to cove 2.1L employees

Time of India

2 days ago

Chandigarh: The Haryana cabinet on Thursday announced the implementation of Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) from Aug 1, a move that will go against state govt employees who had been demanding the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
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Now, govt employees who joined service after 2006 can opt out of either UPS or National Pension Scheme (NPS), which is prevalent in Haryana. However, there will be no scope for OPS.
The decision on pension was among the 33 agenda items taken up by CM Nayab Singh Saini's cabinet during a four-hour meeting. The cabinet also approved pension benefits-related amendments to Haryana Civil Services Rules 2016 and increased the facilitation of housing for the kin of deceased govt employees occupying govt accommodation.
Over 2.15 lakh employees will be covered under UPS.
UPS will provide 50% of the average basic pay drawn by a state govt employee during the 12 months prior to retirement, provided the employee completes 25 years of service. A minimum guaranteed payout of Rs 10,000 per month will be assured if the employee retires after completing 10 or more years of qualifying service.
In the event of the pensioner's death, the family will receive 60% of the last-drawn pension amount.
Dearness relief will be applicable to both the assured pension payout and the family pension, calculated in the same manner as dearness allowance (DA). However, dearness relief will be payable only once the pension payout commences. A lumpsum payment will also be allowed at the time of superannuation, amounting to 10% of the monthly emoluments (a sum of basic pay and DA) for every completed six months of qualifying service.
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This lumpsum will not affect the assured pension payout.
Once an employee opts for UPS, all terms and conditions of the scheme will be deemed accepted, and this choice will be final. The decision regarding the implementation of UPS in boards, corporations, PSUs and state universities will be taken later, said the CM.
Pension Bahali Sangharsh Samiti Haryana president Vijender Dhariwal, who has been spearheading protests for the implementation of OPS, termed the decision futile.
"UPS had few takers in the Union govt, and the state govt had to extend the date till Sep. Now, we don't think it will be accepted by employees in Haryana too," he said.
OTHER DECISIONS
More casual leaves for women | The cabinet approved amendments to Haryana Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 2016, increasing casual leaves for regular woman employees in govt departments, boards and corporations from the previous 20 per calendar year to 25
Changes in treasury officer recruitment rules |The cabinet approved amendments to Haryana Finance Department Treasuries (Group B) Service Rules, 1980. Now, only 25% posts of assistant treasury officer (ATO) will be filled through promotion, down from the earlier 50%. The remaining 75% will be recruited directly by Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC)
Relaxation in job policy for kin of battle casualties | The cabinet approved a significant relaxation in the policy for compassionate appointments given to the dependents of Haryana-domicile battle casualties. The decision will pave the way for compassionate appointments in eight cases where the families had applied after the mandatory three-year period
Scholarship for children of fallen soldiers, paramilitary personnel | Students of fallen soldiers and paramilitary personnel will receive an annual scholarship ranging from Rs 60,000 to Rs 96,000, according to a decision by the cabinet.
As per the new policy inspired by PM Scholarship Scheme, students from Class VI to XII will receive an annual scholarship of Rs 60,000. For those pursuing graduation, the scholarship will be Rs 72,000 per year, while post-graduate students will receive Rs 96,000 annually.
IN all, 189 students will get Rs 1,31,640 as scholarship
Royalty on mining material doubled | The cabinet also approved amendments to Haryana Minor Mineral Concession, Stocking, Transportation of Minerals, and Prevention of Illegal Mining Rules, 2012.
As a result, the process for providing compensation and rent to farmers has been simplified to ensure greater ease and transparency. In addition, royalty for stone and sand have been revised. Royalty for stone has been increased from Rs 45 to Rs 100 per tonne, while the royalty for sand has been raised from Rs 40 to Rs 80 per tonne.
Cabinet has also approved the implementation of an inter-state mineral transportation fee. A charge of Rs 100 per tonne will be levied for inter-state transportation of minerals. The inter-state transit fee has been fixed at Rs 100 if the destination mentioned in the e-transit is within Haryana, and Rs 20 if the destination in e-transit is any place outside Haryana.
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