Congress will ‘force’ Center to implement old pension scheme across country: Ashok Gehlot

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday said that the Congress will “force” the Center to implement the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) across the country, adding that the committee on the New Pension Scheme (NPS) was formed under pressure. His party had gone. Gehlot also announced increasing the old age pension from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 if the Congress government in Rajasthan remains in power.

“Under the chairmanship of the Finance Secretary, the Center has constituted a committee to find out what can be done by merging OPS and NPS. After our pressure, they constituted the committee,” he said. The Chief Minister was addressing the ‘Kisan Mahasammelan’ on the sidelines of review of inflation relief camp at Maulsar in Nagaur district.

On 6 April, the Union Finance Ministry constituted a committee under Finance Secretary TV Somanathan to review the pension system for government employees. The committee will suggest whether in the light of the existing structure and composition of the National Pension System applicable to government employees, any changes are necessary in the same.

“They (Centre) have developed a mindset (about OPS). Now, they are facing a problem that how to save their face,” Gehlot said. He said that OPS is a revolutionary decision and it will not be taken back. Gehlot said, “OPS is not going to go back. If our government comes again, we will retain it. But, we will force the Center to implement it across the country. We are moving ahead with this thinking.” ”

He said that India is among the top six-seven largest economies of the world because of the plans and schemes made in 70 years and not because of the Narendra Modi government. He said, “I would like to say that the right to social security law should be made in the country. This is my demand from Modi ji.”

Later talking to reporters, Gehlot said that the President should have inaugurated the new Parliament House. Gehlot said, “It is unfortunate that PM Modi inaugurated it. The President should have inaugurated it. Even the Rajasthan Assembly was inaugurated by the President.”

When asked about PM Modi’s proposed visit to Ajmer on May 31, the Chief Minister said that they (BJP) have enough leaders and resources, but they do not have any issue.
Expressing confidence that the Congress will retain power in Rajasthan, Gehlot said that the people of Karnataka have given a befitting reply to the BJP and now the same will happen in Rajasthan.

Rajasthan Congress in-charge Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa said that PM Modi had promised to give 6 thousand rupees to the farmers, but it is not being given.
Randhawa said, “I want to ask Modi ji… He had promised Rs 6,000 to farmers in 2019. Where is the promise in 2022.”

He alleged that whenever elections come, the Prime Minister makes promises and later forgets them. Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasara said PM Modi only made empty promises to farmers while the Gehlot government waived off cooperative loans of farmers in the state.