The Northern Railway Mazdoor Union branches in Chandigarh, Kalka, and Shimla have initiated a hunger strike to advocate for the restoration of the old pension system. The union has adopted the slogan that only those supporting the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) will receive votes. Union General Secretary B S Sharma stated that their primary demands include the removal of the National Pension System (NPS) and the reinstatement of OPS. Additionally, they are urging the formation of a committee for the Eighth Pay Commission.
Sharma mentioned that the hunger strike will persist from January 8th to 12th. Union members will undertake the hunger strike in Chandigarh on January 8th and 9th, followed by Kalka on January 10th and 11th.
During the strike at Chandigarh Railway Station, Divisional President Ashok Kumar, Satya Pal Singh, Branch Head Sandeep Kumar, Divisional Media Secretary Jasveer Singh, Gurneet Singh, Abhishek Bhardwaj, Amit Kumar Parminder, Rajesh, Anil Godki, Diwakar, Rajesh Arora, Brijesh Kumar, Suraj Kumar, Manoj Kumar, and others were present.
