Mangaluru, November 18: As the National Pension Scheme (NPS) is detrimental to the state government employees, they would conduct fast-unto-death protest at the Freedom Park in Bengaluru if the NPS is not cancelled, said NPS employees association general secretary Naganagouda.

Delivering a keynote address at the NPS employees district convention and the 12th executive committee meeting at the SCDCC auditorium here on Sunday, he said that the employees have come to the street due to NPS and have been fighting for abolishing the system. They were not fighting against the government, but for their right.

A retired government bill collector who served for 37 years was getting just Rs 685 monthly pension. But a 98 year old person who served as the primary school teacher for 40 years was getting Rs 22,000 pension. Why such anomaly? The state government should cancel the NPS system and reintroduce the old pension scheme to help the retired employees. They were trying to apprise the government of the need to reintroduce the old system. They have the confidence that the state government would consider their demand. If the government failed to respond to their problem, they would fight about it during the Belagavi Session, he said.

NPS is bogus scheme: Ivan D'Souza

MLC Ivan D'Souza said that the National Pension Scheme would not suit to the government employees as it was a bogus scheme. He would support the fight of the employees. It was the duty of the government to consider the fight. He would raise the issue in the next Session, he said.

MLC Ayanur Manjunath said that he would raise the issue in the Belagavi Session.

MLA Vedavyas Kamath also addressed the employees.

Before the conference, the NPS employees took out a protest march from  the government employees Bhavan to SCDCC auditorium. Association district president Ibrahim presided over the programme, in which SCDCC president Dr MN Rajendra Kumar, Association state president Shantaram, Senior vice president Siddappa P, State vice president Chandrahas, KEBA Mangaluru Zonal president Manjappa, representatives of various organizations like Shivashankar Bhat, Swany Thavro, Vittal, Jagadeesh, Dileep Kumar, Hariprasad, H.S. Gurumurthy, Roopa, Adarsh, Prof. Rajashekar Hebbar and others were present.

When MLAs are getting pension, why not you? , asks Bhoje Gowda

In a democratic system, the people's representatives like MLAs, MLCs and MPs were getting the pension in the name of honorarium. But it was a serious question as to why the government employees who serve for most of their life, were not getting the pension? The government should introspect it's decision on forcing the government employees who have come to the street for their rights, said MLC Bhoje Gowda.

Right from the Supreme Court judges to elected representatives, their honorarium was being revised on regular basis. He would be with the government employees in their protest. He would arrange the meeting with the Chief Minister within 15 days, he said.

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Dubai/Abu Dhabi: Residents and visitors across the United Arab Emirates received a fresh emergency alert on their mobile phones stating that the situation in the country is currently safe.

The message, issued by the Ministry of Interior (MOI), thanked people for their cooperation and reassured them that conditions were stable.

“Thank you for your cooperation. We reassure you that the situation is currently safe. You may resume your normal activities while continuing to remain cautious and take the necessary precautions, and to follow official instructions. (MOI),” the alert read.

The notification was sent in both Arabic and English through the country’s emergency alert system.

The advisory comes after earlier alerts warning of potential missile threats amid rising regional tensions. Authorities have urged the public to stay cautious and follow official guidance.