Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Monday extended the benefit of the Old Pension Scheme to thousands of employees who were appointed against posts advertised or notified before December 24, 2009, but who later joined service under the New Pension Scheme.
The orders were issued following a decision of the Council of Ministers, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, at its meeting earlier this month. Under the decision, eligible employees have been given a one-time option to switch from the New Pension Scheme to the Old Pension Scheme.
The government has laid down clear conditions. Eligible employees must exercise the option through the proper channel within three months from the date the order was issued. Once exercised, the option shall be final and cannot be reversed. Employees who do not exercise it within the stipulated period will continue to remain covered under the New Pension Scheme.
The move is significant for the Union Territory’s government workforce. The difference between the two schemes has been a long-running point of discussion among employees across the country. The Old Pension Scheme is generally associated with a defined benefit after retirement, whereas the New Pension Scheme is contribution-based, with retirement income linked to accumulated contributions. For those who joined service under the newer arrangement despite their posts having been advertised earlier, the option offers a chance to align their retirement security with what was in force when the vacancies were notified.
By tying eligibility to the date of advertisement or notification, the order recognises that the timing of recruitment processes sometimes places employees under a different scheme from the one applicable when they applied. The decision fulfils the earlier commitment of the Council of Ministers to extend the benefit to this category, and gives eligible employees a defined window to decide.
Employees who believe they qualify should note the three-month deadline and the finality of the choice, since the order does not allow a second option. Departments will be expected to process requests received through the proper channel within the prescribed time. With thousands of employees potentially affected, the decision is likely to be closely followed across government offices, and it marks a significant step for the elected government in addressing a long-standing concern of its workforce.
