Thousands gather at Ramlila Maidan, demand restoration of Old Pension Scheme

Worried about their future post-retirement, thousands of central and state government employees from more than 20 states gathered to protest at the Ramlila Maidan in the capital, demanding that the Old Pension Scheme should be restored.

Protesters at the Pension Shankhnaad Maharally voiced their opposition to the New Pension Scheme, saying they are worried about their post-retirement future.

"We are holding a maha rally to demand the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme under the banner of the Joint Forum for Restoration of Old Pension Scheme (JFROPS) and National Joint Council of Action (NJCA)," a protester said.

"The employees who joined government service after January 1, 2004 are strongly opposing the New Pension Scheme. The employees are worried about their future after retirement because they have been deprived of the Old Pension Scheme and forced into the New Pension Scheme," said Shiv Gopal Mishra, national convener and general secretary of All India Railway Men's Federation.

There was heavy police deployment at the venue. 

(With inputs from agencies)