Guwahati: The All Assam Government NPS Employees’ Association (AAGNPSEA) has renewed its demand for the immediate release of pending Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears while seeking clarification over Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma’s reported remarks on the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), describing both issues as matters of significant concern for government employees.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the association reiterated that the payment of pending DA and the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme remain among its key demands. It also thanked legislators, including Akhil Gogoi and Padma Hazarika, for raising the issues during the ongoing Assam Legislative Assembly session.
The association maintained that Dearness Allowance is a legitimate component of employees’ salaries intended to compensate for inflation and rising living costs, and not a discretionary financial benefit. It alleged that the non-payment of DA arrears since January has adversely affected the real income of government employees and urged the state government to release all pending dues without further delay.
AAGNPSEA also expressed concern over the Chief Minister’s reported statement in the Assembly that the “new generation” of employees does not support the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme. The association called upon the Sadou Asam Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) to publicly clarify its stand on the issue.
According to the association, any claim regarding the opinion of government employees on the pension system should be determined through a transparent, impartial and credible referendum involving the workforce. It argued that decisions relating to employees’ retirement benefits should reflect the collective mandate of government employees rather than broad assumptions or general statements.
Reiterating its long-standing demands, AAGNPSEA urged the Assam government to immediately release the pending Dearness Allowance arrears and restore the Old Pension Scheme for all eligible government employees.
The association further stated that it would continue its democratic movement and warned that it could intensify its agitation in the coming days if its demands regarding DA arrears and the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme remain unaddressed.
