DECODED: Will burning issue of old pension scheme impact the high-octane Himachal poll battle result? How OPS is different from NPS?

Old Pension Scheme vs New Scheme: Old Pension Scheme (OPS) has emerged as a key issue in the poll-bound Himachal Pradesh Assembly Elections 2022. Eyeing a comeback in the hill state, the Congress party has promised to restore the old pension scheme (OPS), if voted to power in Himachal Pradesh after the November 12 assembly polls in the state. Countering the  Congress, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur has said the grand old party is making the old pension scheme a political issue. Thakur had asserted that the opposition party has no moral right to seek its restoration as it had not done so when it was in power in the hill state.

Many people are debating the old pension scheme, which has emerged as a key election issue. Most of people feel that the OPS will benefit retired employees in a big way, but, some say how the government will generate resources for it.

Old Pension Scheme (OPS)

- The old pension scheme was discontinued in the country from April 1, 2004

- Under Old Pension Scheme (OPS), the entire pension amount was given by the government

New Scheme: National Pension System

- According to the new scheme, employees contribute 10 per cent of their basic salary towards pension while the state government contributes 14 per cent.

- There are about 2.5 lakh government employees in the state, and out of them 1.5 lakh are covered under the New Pension Scheme.

- There have been protests earlier by employees' associations against the new pension scheme.

War Of Words: BJP vs Congress - Old Pension Scheme

Chief Minister Jairam Thakur had alleged that Congress was making the old pension scheme a political issue. He demanded the party's apology, claiming it has no moral right to seek its restoration after ending the old pension scheme and implementing the National Pension Scheme.

Hitting back, Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said, "They are trying to mislead. The BJP was in power when on April 10, 1999, the old pension scheme was ended. They speak lies". He exuded confidence that the Congress will wrest power from the BJP in the hill state.

Himachal Pradesh Assembly Election 2022: Polling, Results

- Polling to the 68-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly will be held on Saturday

- In the voting scheduled from 8 AM to 5 PM on Nov 12, the Election Commission has set up a total of 7,884 polling stations including three auxiliary polling stations in far flung areas. Of these, there are 789 vulnerable booths and 397 critical ones.

-The EC has also set up its highest booth in Tashigang in Kaza in Spiti area of Lahaul Spiti district of the state at a height of 15,256 feet and would cater to 52 voters.

- Polling to the 68-member Himachal Pradesh Assembly will be held on Saturday.

 -The counting of votes will be taken up on December 8.