Kuvempu University staff demand Old Pension Scheme on par with State government employees

The Kuvempu University Teachers’ Association has taken exception to the State government’s refusal to continue the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for the teaching and non-teaching staff at universities who applied for their jobs before April 1, 2006.

The association’s president, Hiremani Naik R., and secretary, Shanmukha A., have urged the State government to treat the university staff on par with State government employees and extend the OPS facility.

The New Pension Scheme (NPS) came into effect for the employees who were recruited after April 1, 2006. However, recently, the government extended the benefit of OPS to government employees who had applied for their jobs before April 1, 2006. The teaching staff of degree colleges that function under the Department of Collegiate Education received the benefit. “The teachers in universities and degree colleges have the same qualifications. Denying the OPS facility for university teachers is clear discrimination against us,” the association stated.

Further, the association said the universities, though autonomous bodies, had been dependent on the State government for financial assistance. All the financial activities were being conducted as per the guidelines of the Finance Department, and the employees function within the Karnataka State Civil Service Rules. The government, on earlier occasions, considered the university staff on a par with the State government employees. “However, only while applying the OPS did it discriminate against us. The Chief Minister and Minister for Higher Education should consider our plea,” the association stated. It also cited the Punjab and Haryana High Court judgement to support its claim.

The association stated that employees will stage protests if the demand is not met.