In rare bonhomie CPM MLA showers praise on JR Thakur functioning as CM

In a rare bonhomie, CPM MLA Rakesh Singha showerd praise on Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur in state assembly on Tuesday as legislator likening his functioning style , equating him to former CM Virbahdra Singh.

Mr Singha was asking a query regarding benefit of National Pension Scheme (NPS) to state employees, in case of death or disability during Question Hour on 2nd day of monsoon session.

Mr Singha stated that he is impressed with functioning of Jai Ram Thakur as serving as role model, “If Thakur continues to work like this, he will match upto, if he could not surpass to six time chief minister Virbhadra Singh on working style,” he said, 

Sharing his experience as a legislator in the house CPI(M) member said that as CM Mr Thakur was working very hard, take actions on issues that were brought before him and was making efforts to resolve these at the earliest.

Mr Singha said that Chief minister has acted on his suggestion to continue to extend the benifit of old pension scheme two categories including dependent of deceased employees and those who suffered 40 per cent disability during the service till cut off date of 2009.

Jai Ram Thakur, on the other hand, said he was thankful for the remarks and he will keep these close to his heart.

While replying to the query, Thakur said the state government was examining the issue and keeping in view the grievances, the government had increased its contribution from 10 per cent to 14 per cent for NPS employees.

Besides, budgetary provision of Rs 110 crore had been made for granting gratuity benefits to such employees.

“The Central government’s notification had been adopted by only three states of Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Assam while Punjab and Gujarat have not implemented it.

As the state government follows Punjab in policy decisions and keeping in mind the poor financial condition amid Covid pandemic, the state government is examining the issue,” he added.

Thakur stated that a total of 2,114 government employees of various departments, who were covered under NPS, had died since 2003 during their service