Last Update: February 19, 2023, 18:32 IST
Screengrab of video showing protests in Panchkula on Sunday. (ANI)
A massive march was taken out near the residence of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, calling upon the BJP-led state government to implement the old pension scheme.
Haryana Police on Sunday fired water cannons and tear gas shells at thousands of government employees protesting in Panchkula demanding restoration of the old pension scheme.
A massive march was taken out near the residence of Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar demanding the BJP-led state government to meet the demands of the protesting employees.
Video posted by news agency Year A large number of police forces have been deployed in the area as thousands of protesters marched and raised slogans.
The scheme has been launched in the Congress ruled states of Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh.
A few days ago, Khattar had said that “if the old pension scheme is implemented, the country will be bankrupt by 2030.”
“Around 70,000 employees have gathered to protest today,” said Praveen Deshwal, spokesperson of the Pension Bahali Sangharsh Samiti. “This BJP government does not talk to the employees. We will continue our peaceful protest,” he said.
This comes as the Haryana Congress puts OPS at the center of the issues discussed ahead of the assembly elections in the state.
Earlier this week, former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda promised to restore the old scheme if the Congress is voted to power in the 2024 assembly polls.
Haryana assembly elections are due in 2024 to elect all 90 members of the state legislative assembly.
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