"Because of opposition's demand...": Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey on Unified Pension Scheme

"By bringing in the Unified Pension Scheme, the central government has proved that, due to the opposition's demand for a pension scheme since the last few months, they had to do so. This time the BJP won only 240 seats, so they know they had to bring some scheme for central government employees. Also, the election is going to be held in 4 states. They could have brought this scheme earlier as well," Anand Dubey said in a self-made video.

Congress leader Rashid Alvi said that the government should have approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) earlier.

"The job the government should have done much earlier, they are doing it now out of pressure. The whole opposition has been saying that the government must make some decision regarding pensions. Retired employees should get a pension based on their salary (before retirement), not just 50 per cent (of their salary) but they should get 100 per cent (of their salary. A central government employee retires after working for the country and this is what you are announcing for such people. They are creating confusion," Alvi told ANI.

Earlier, the Centre approved the Unified Pension Scheme, which provides an assured pension, a minimum pension and an assured family pension.

With the Unified Pension Scheme coming into force on April 1 next year, the central government employees covered under National Pension Scheme (NPS) will have choice to continue with it or opt for the new scheme.

Briefing the media after a meeting of the union cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said about 23 lakh employees of the central government would benefit from the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS). He said the scheme has been evolved with extensive consultations.

Answering a query about whether permission had been obtained from the Election Commission to make the announcement about UPS, he said that the scheme was not linked to the assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana.

"Today the Union Cabinet has approved Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for government employees providing for the assured pension...50 per cent assured pension is the first pillar of the scheme...second pillar will be assured family pension...About 23 lakh employees of the central government would benefit from the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS)...There will be an option for the employees to opt between NPS and UPS," he said.

It will be proportionate for lesser service period upto a minimum of 10 years of service.

The Assured Family Pension would be calculated at the rate of 60 per cent of pension of the employee immediately before her or his demise.

The assured minimum pension will be Rs 10,000 per month on superannuation after a minimum 10 years of service. (ANI)