The Railway Workers' Union is intensifying its demand for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), organizing a protest meeting in front of the General Manager's Office of West Central Railway. The protest is part of the All India Protest Week (March 17-21, 2025), organized under the banner of the All India Railwaymen’s Federation (AIRF).
During the protest, the union raised concerns over the discrepancies between the New Pension Scheme (NPS) and the old system, highlighting that Central Government employees, including railway workers, receive reduced benefits under NPS. Union representatives expressed their frustration over the Central Government’s refusal to implement OPS despite ongoing demands.
The protest meeting was led by Union Representative Lathikant Kumar, who emphasized that under the leadership of Union President C.M. Mishra and General Secretary Ashok Sharma, the union remains committed to ensuring the implementation of OPS. Addressing the gathering, he warned that if the government does not respond favorably, railway workers across the country will escalate their agitation to the national level.
Several prominent union leaders, including Division Secretary D.P. Aanjaney, Vice President Leelavati Tripathi, Keshavendra Kumar, and other senior members, accused the government of ignoring the plight of young railway employees. They stressed that the continued implementation of NPS reflects the government's indifference and is pushing employees towards uncertainty.
The protest week will culminate in a grand demonstration on March 21, 2025, at the Divisional Railway Manager's Office in Jabalpur. This demonstration aims to amplify their demand for OPS and highlight the growing unrest among railway workers.
The event witnessed the participation of numerous railway employees, including key members such as Joshkun Singh Yadav, Bhupendra Singh, Ratan Chouhan, Nitin Kesari, and others. The union leaders vowed to continue their struggle until their demands for the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme are met.
