Government Employees Urgently Demand Restoration of Old Pension Scheme
Government employees have written to the 8th Pay Commission demanding the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and highlighting unique needs for women in the workplace. They are pushing for increased memorandums submission limits and an extension of the deadline.
Highlights
- •Employees demand the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme
- •Women employees seek specific provisions concerning safety, maternity leave, menstrual leave, and childcare
- •Increase in memorandums submission word and file size limit proposed
- •Deadline for submitting memorandums extended to May 31, 2026
In an effort to address pressing concerns, government employees have penned a letter to the 8th Pay Commission. The letter, dated April 1, 2026, was sent by Shiv Gopal Mishra, Secretary of the Staff Side of the National Council (JCM), directly to Pankaj Jain, Member Secretary of the 8th Pay Commission.
The primary focus of the letter is the urgent demand for the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). This request
Another significant aspect is the call for a dedicated section within the 8th Pay Commission framework to address women employees' unique needs. The JCM
Furthermore, the letter mentions that different departments face distinct challenges, thus urging for a separate section in the memorandum to emphasize department-specific issues. Currently, government employees argue that the online system for submitting memorandums is restrictive, proposing an increased word limit from 500 to at least 1,000 words and increased file attachment limits from 2 MB to 10 MB.
To increase accessibility, JCM also recommends allowing submissions via email and hard copy, ensuring that all employees can easily convey their views. The date for submitting memorandums on department-related issues has been extended to May 31, 2026, acknowledging the need for thorough consultations with various organizations and unions.
Compulsory Courses: A New Requirement
The letter concludes by proposing a face-to-face meeting with the 8th Pay Commission on any convenient date after April 13, 2026. Additionally, it notes that central government employees are currently required to complete annual competency-based courses related to their roles or levels on the Integrated Government Online Training (IGOT) portal.
Data from the Ministry of Personnel indicates that these courses will be linked to annual performance appraisal reports and could significantly impact employee appraisals. This new requirement underscores a growing trend towards measuring performance through continuous training, reflecting a modern approach to governance and workforce development.
