After Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh set to go for old pension scheme

After the Congress-ruled Rajasthan government, Chhattisgarh is actively contemplating reintroducing the old pension programme for government employees.

According to Congress circles, the move is aimed at giving government employees a "guaranteed pension" by replacing the National Pension System (NPS), which is a contributory pension system for employees who started working for the government after 2004.

According to sources, there are hints that the state may revert to the previous pension scheme beginning in the next fiscal year, but there has been no official word from the state government on when the decision would be made. Because the legislature is in session, Congress sources say it's possible that CM Bhupesh Baghel, who is also the finance minister, could make an announcement on this when he presents the state budget for fiscal 2022-23 on March 9. According to sources, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel met in New Delhi to discuss the reinstatement of the old pension programme. Following this, the desire for the old pension scheme for government employees to be reinstated for the following fiscal year gained traction.

After the Congress-led state of Rajasthan said it will return to the old pension system, CM Baghel informed reporters that his government would look into the financial considerations before making a decision on whether or not to replace NPS.

Later, Congress politicians and numerous employee organisations advocated for the reintroduction of the previous pension scheme, claiming that it would not place a significant financial burden on the state budget.