Ashok Gehlot, the chief minister of Rajasthan, urged on Friday that the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), which is currently in place in his state, be replicated nationwide.
Gehlot said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is “against” the old pension scheme while speaking to the state-level teacher’s convention of the Rajasthan Shikshak Sangh in Jaipur.
“I don’t have any doubt in claiming that the BJP is against the ‘Old Pension Scheme’. I had also raised the issue with the Prime Minister. The scheme is already in place in states like Punjab and Jharkhand, but one day or another it will have to be implemented all across the country,” he said.
Gehlot also said that today’s history is “misinterpreted” to somehow convince people that there were big differences between leaders like Subash Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru.
“Today, much debate revolves around the difference of opinions between Subhash Chandra Bose and Pandit Nehru. People should know that in Subash Chandra Bose’s army there was ‘Nehru Brigade’. Today, history is being misinterpreted. Whether it is Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, or Baba Saheb Ambedkar, they are all legendary figures. They used to have differences, but they used to reach the decision based on discussions,” he said.
We have presented a marvellous budget in the state. The Leader of Opposition, Gulab Singh Kataria, was asking me where will the money would come from. I told him, I am a ‘magician’ and will arrange everything through smart fiscal management. I have even told my MLAs that you will get tired of asking for money, but I won’t be tired while giving it.”
There were several more ministers in attendance.
A government worker is entitled to a monthly pension after retirement under the Old Pension Scheme. The average monthly pension equals half of the recipient’s most recent salary.
The previous pension plan was discontinued in December 2003, and the new, contributory pension plan went into effect on April 1, 2004.