Shimla, March 22 — Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said the state government is pressing GOI to return ₹9,242 crore in contributions under the previous new pension scheme (NPS), which remains with the Centre despite repeated requests.
“The money rightfully belongs to the employees and should be returned,” Agnihotri said, adding that the fund includes equal contributions from the state government and employees. The Centre has invested it in bonds, he noted.
He mentioned that the Congress-led government fulfilled its pre-2022 Assembly election promise by restoring the old pension scheme (OPS). So far, 1,17,521 state employees have switched to OPS, while 1,356 opted to remain under NPS.
Agnihotri also raised concerns over GOI slashing Himachal’s loan-raising limit by ₹1,700 crore following the OPS restoration. He said the government is considering extending OPS to employees of boards and corporations, with HRTC staff already benefiting from the scheme.
