The indefinite strike of more than 17 lakh government employees of Maharashtra has started today for the demand of the old pension scheme in Maharashtra. All the employees organizations across the state are participating in this strike, due to which the government work is likely to be badly affected. At the same time, the government is also not in the mood to bow down on this issue and has made it clear on its part that strict disciplinary action will be taken against the employees going on strike on March 14.
The employees have made many demands including the cancellation of the new pension scheme and the implementation of the old pension scheme. The government implemented the NPS pension instead of the old pension scheme, and the employees’ organizations have been opposing this pension scheme since its inception. Ahead of the state budget, lakhs of government employees and pensioners in Maharashtra are demanding the revival of the old pension scheme, putting pressure on the government to revive the old pension scheme which was discontinued in 2005.
The Maharashtra government has warned that strict action will be taken if government employees join the strike. The government has said in its order that disciplinary action will be taken against the government employees participating in the strike starting from March 14. According to the government, ‘this strike is illegal as per the provisions of Rule 6 of Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct). That’s why action will be taken against those who participated in the strike. Keeping in mind that the public does not face any problem, all the government employees of the state should withdraw their agitation and put their demands in front of the government properly.’
The strike of government employees is having a bad effect on work. Taking the example of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, all the employees of the Valley Government Hospital here have also gone on an indefinite strike to implement the old pension scheme, due to which the functioning is getting badly affected. 300 to 400 class IV employees of Ghati Hospital have gone on an indefinite strike and they have said that they will remain on strike till the old pension scheme is implemented.
