Teachers in Kolhapur Protest for Old Pension Scheme on Teachers Day

Kolhapur, September 5 (Daily Kiran) : Educators and non-teaching staff in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, staged a silent protest on Teacher’s Day, wearing black masks and bands. They are demanding the reinstatement of the old pension scheme for employees hired before November 1, 2005.

One protesting teacher expressed frustration, stating, “Teachers have been deprived of their pensions. We have taken this issue to court, which is still ongoing. However, former Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had assured us that 26,000 individuals would receive benefits under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) from 1982. Unfortunately, he later went back on his word. Today, on Teacher’s Day, protests are taking place in every district to raise awareness among the government.”

Another demonstrator emphasized that the pension scheme should have been implemented for the 26,000 teachers hired before October 31, 2005, asserting, “This is their right. According to the 1982 regulations, they should receive the OPS. This is why we are marching against the Maharashtra government on Teacher’s Day. The movement is not limited to Kolhapur; it is happening across all districts today. We urge the government to decide on restoring the old pension for these 26,000 teachers.”

The protesters have given the government a 15-day ultimatum. If their demands are not met within this timeframe, they plan to gather at Azad Maidan in Mumbai for a demonstration involving teachers from all districts. They vow to remain until their demands are addressed.

Another protester remarked, “Today is Teacher’s Day, and it is our duty to extend our best wishes. All teachers are here for a significant cause. We believe this day is the right moment to voice our concerns. Those who joined the workforce before March 1, 2005, deserve pensions. They have fought for this for a long time, but their plight remains unresolved.”