UP Ministerial Collectorate Employees Demand OPS, Protest on Nov 28

Lucknow: With the slogan Jo Pension Ki Baat Karega, Wahi Desh Par Raaz Karega (Only that party will rule the country which brings back the Old Pension Scheme), state and Central employees are again gearing under the banner of Uttar Pradesh Ministerial Collectorate Employees Union (UPMCEU) to reach Lucknow on November 28. 

The employees have been asking for time-bound action on their 22 demands, including restoration of the OPS, increase in pay grade and other facilities.

UPMCEU general secretary Arvind Kumar Verma told NewsClick that the employees staged a one-day protest at all the district headquarters across the state on October 21 and submitted a memorandum to the district magistrates. The memorandum states that if their 22-point demands are not met by November 27, the employees will gather outside the revenue council office in Lucknow on November 28. 

“The government has been ignoring genuine demands of the employees of the collectorate and sub-division offices for a long time. Despite submitting several memorandums, the government didn’t act. Therefore, thousands of employees from all the 75 districts will gather in the state capital and protest on November 28,” he said.

At the district headquarters level, the name of collectorate should be changed to mini district secretariat in place of district officer, and collectorate clerk and other employees should be given promotion on 10% posts of new tehsildar, etc., he added.

Verma said that mobilisation of collectorate employees across the state is going on war footing. A group of people have met the employees and asked them to reach Lucknow in a large number to mount pressure on the government to fulfil their demands. 

Union leader from Basti, Mastram Verma told NewsClick, “Many demonstrations have been held in Lucknow and Delhi demanding the restoration of OPS. Still, the government is silent. It is a do-or-die situation for us. Employees, including from the Railways, income tax, postal and state employees and teachers will join the protest on November 28. The upcoming Lok Sabha election will have an impact if OPS is not restored timely.”

The other demands include cashless medical treatment, filling vacant posts, collectorate and sub-division office employees should be provided salary and other benefits just like the state secretariat employees, and education allowance for two kids. 

In the last few years, Lucknow witnessed a series of protests, demanding restoration of OPS, cashless medical facility and recruitment for vacant posts. 

In June, thousands of teachers, pensioners and employees from the Central and state departments from various sectors, including Railways, postal services, public works, education, and electricity, orgainsed the ‘Hunkar Rally’ in Lucknow.

Last year, thousands of teachers from across the state gathered in the state capital’s Eco Garden against the new National Pension System (NPS). 

With the Lok Sabha election due in May 2024, the protesting teachers had warned that they would bring the current government “to its knees” if OPS is not restored.