Centre Mulling To Enhance Payouts To Farmers And Staff Ahead Of 2024 Polls: Report

The Central Government is considering several welfare measures with special focus on farmers and government employees ahead of the 2024 polls. This is due to the the opposition making Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and farm loans crucial part of its poll discourse in assembly elections.

OPS has been a prominent pitch by almost all INDIA bloc parties, particularly the Congress. It has been a constant feature of its poll manifesto for the assembly elections, according to a media report by ET.

Many states under the Congress regime have already made a switch to OPS. Other opposition parties also recently extended support to a protest by thousands of central and state government employees in New Delhi on October 1, demanding the restoration of the OPS.

The Modi government in April this year had formed a committee to review the pension scheme for government employees and suggest any changes, if needed, in the light of the existing framework and structure of the National Pension System (NPS).

People in know told ET that the Centre is considering various options to NPS, more attractive preposition for employees including a suggestion to ensure a specific percentage of last drawn salary.

Another area of focus for BJP is said to be farmers, for whom opposition parties have been announcing farm loan waivers.

Months before the 2019 polls, the Modi government launched the PM Kisan Nidhi scheme, under which it gives Rs 6,000 in three instalments to small and marginal farmers in a year.