Dr.N.Kanniah, President / AIRF and General Secretary/SRMU today addressed Press & media personnel and explained about the negotiations held on 24- 08-2024 evening 6:00 P.M. at the residence of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri.Narendra Modi.

Dr.N.Kanniah stated that, the members of the Standing Committee of the Joint Consultative Machinery of Railway and Central Government employees had a fruitful negotiation with the Government of India.
20 Years long struggle against NPS leads to victory.

Prior to 2004, the Railway and Central Government employees were covered under Pension Scheme, by which, at the time of superannuation, 50% of the last drawn basic pay along with appropriate Dearness Relief was given as “Pension”. Whereas, from 01-04-2004, “New Pension Scheme”, was introduced, with no guarantee about the pension amount an employee may get. When New Pension Scheme was introduced , SRMU was the first organization to oppose the same.

Subsequently, along with AIRF & SRMU, other State and Central Government Labour Unions, JCM Constituents, participated in various struggles, such as, Ralleys, Protest Meetings, Relay Hunger Fast etc., during the last twenty years.

Last year, on March 1st, AIRF/SRMU led JCM constituents issued a “Nation wide Indefinite Strike Notice”. Subsequently, the Central Government, formed a Committee headed by the then Finance Secretary and currently, Cabinet Secretary, Shri.T.V.Somanathan. After three rounds of discussion, the Central Government agreed to modify the NPS and to grant 50% of the last drawn salary as Pension.

Dr.N.Kanniah stated that, on 24-08-2024, at evening 06:00 P.M. at the residence of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri.Narendra Modi and in the presence of Hon’ble Finance Minister Smt.Nirmala Sitaraman, Cabinet Secretary, Shri.T.V.Somanathan, held a final round of discussions, in which, along with Shri.S.G.Mishra, General Secretary/AIRF, and held discussions for over one hour, and at the end of the discussion, the following decisions were taken.