New Delhi: A delegation from the All-India National Public Sector Employees Federation (NPSEF) met Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh at his office in North Block today to discuss issues related to pension schemes and recent reforms introduced by the government.
The Federation representatives expressed their appreciation for the recent amendments to the National Pension System (NPS), particularly the increase in government contribution from 10% to 14%, which they hailed as a significant step toward ensuring better financial security for employees post-retirement. They also welcomed the introduction of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), which aims to streamline pension benefits for employees across various public sector units.
During the meeting, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the government’s commitment to employee welfare, stating that the recent pension reforms were designed to create a more transparent, efficient, and employee-friendly pension system. He advised the delegation to carefully evaluate the benefits of both NPS and UPS to make an informed choice that best suits their financial needs.
The delegation also praised the Department of Pensions and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) for its proactive approach in improving pension services, particularly the introduction of technology-driven solutions like the Jeevan Praman Digital Life Certificate. They noted that this initiative has significantly eased the process for pensioners by eliminating the need for physical visits to banks or post offices for verification.
Dr. Singh further highlighted the use of Facial Recognition Technology in digital life certificates, calling it a game-changer for pension services. He explained that this innovation has not only made the process more convenient but also reduced delays and minimized fraud, thereby enhancing service efficiency for pensioners.
The Minister also underscored the importance of continued dialogue between the government and employees’ unions, ensuring that their concerns are addressed and that pension reforms remain aligned with their needs.
The meeting was attended by V. Srinivas, Secretary, DoPPW, and Dhrubjyoti Sengupta, Joint Secretary, DoPPW. The NPSEF delegation included Dr. Manjeet Singh Patel (National President), Ashish Singh (President, Ordnance Employees Union), Manish Prajapati (Delhi Nurses Federation Leader), Sanjeev Verma (President, Indira Gandhi Open University Staff Association), and Vinod Yadav (Secretary, Delhi Teachers Association), among others.
The discussions reaffirmed the government’s commitment to pensioner welfare, with a strong focus on integrating technology and policy reforms to build a more secure and well-managed pension system for public sector employees.
