OPS benefit to more employees in HP
Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
OPS benefit to more employees in HP
Shimla, July 11,
Himachal Pradesh Government has decided to extend the benefit of the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972 (Old Pension Scheme) to State government employees who were recruited against posts or vacancies advertised or notified on or before May 15, 2003, even if their appointments were made after that date.
According to an Office Memorandum issued by the Finance (Pension) Department on July 9, the decision has been taken in line with the Government of India’s instructions issued on March 3, 2023. The memorandum noted that while the Contributory Pension Scheme (now National Pension System) became applicable to appointments made on or after May 15, 2003, several representations had been received from employees seeking coverage under the Old Pension Scheme as their recruitment process had begun before the cut-off date.
The State Government observed that Himachal Pradesh had already restored the Old Pension Scheme with effect from April 1, 2023, and had provided an option to employees appointed between May 15, 2003 and March 31, 2023 to choose between OPS and NPS.
With the latest decision, employees whose recruitment advertisements or notifications were issued on or before May 15, 2003, will also be covered under the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, subject to the conditions laid down in the Office Memorandum.
The state government is giving both options to employees to either opt for Old Pension scheme or New Pension System.
The move is expected to benefit a section of government employees whose recruitment process had commenced before the introduction of the new pension regime.
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