The Punjab government today took an in-principle decision to restore the old pension scheme for its employees.
Giving a Diwali gift, the government has decided to implement the old pension scheme, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced after a meeting of the state cabinet in Chandigarh.
"We have taken in-principle decision to this effect in the cabinet meeting. This will benefit lakhs of employees...We are bringing Punjab under the old pension scheme," he said.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that employees will be given the option to join the old pension scheme.
Mr Mann, a month ago, had said that his government is considering restoring the scheme for government employees.
Restoration of the old pension scheme, which was discontinued in 2004, has been one of the major demands of state government employees.
In August last year, Mr Cheema, a senior Aam Aadmi Party leader, had promised to restore the old pension system if the party was voted to power in Punjab.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Punjab's Debt Rose By Rs 50,000 Crore In Bhagwant Mann's Tenure: Governor Punjab To Start Buses For Girls Studying In Government Schools: B Mann Punjab Government Lists New Office Timings - 7:30 am To 2 pm, Not 9-To-5, No Lunch Break Maharashtra, Jharkhand Counting Today, Key Bypoll Results In 15 States "Thousand Times Better...": Delhi Lt Governor's Surprise For AAP's Atishi "Violation Of Sovereignty, Abuse Of Power": Kanwal Sibal On US Report On Adani Group Who Is Nikita Hand? Woman Wins Sexual Assault Case Against MMA Fighter "Those Who Can't Pay...": Anupam Mittal On Deepinder Goyal's Job Offer Volvo's 'Pro-Family' Ad Gets Internet's Approval After Jaguar's 'Woke' Mess Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.