CHENNAI: Allies of the ruling DMK on Saturday welcomed the State government’s decision to roll out the Tamil Nadu Assured Pension Scheme (TAPS), calling it a milestone that fulfils a long-pending demand of government employees and teachers.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K Selvaperunthagai said the announcement by Chief Minister MK Stalin had brought closure to a 20-year struggle. Though the scheme would add to the State’s financial burden, it reflected the government’s resolve to honour electoral promises, he said, noting that employee and teacher associations had welcomed the move.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol Thirumavalavan said the decision had given much-needed relief to government employees and thanked the Chief Minister for responding to a long-standing demand.
CPM state secretary P Shanmugam described TAPS as substantially restoring the core features of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) secured through sustained struggles. He urged the government to issue the Government Order (GO) without delay and address other pending demands of staff and teachers in phases.
CPI state secretary M Veerapandian said the decision honoured the DMK’s 2021 poll promise and reaffirmed pension as a social security commitment. He highlighted the State’s willingness to bear a significant fiscal commitment, including enhanced family pension, calling it a model of social justice.
Allies said TAPS would benefit around nine lakh employees, teachers, and their families, ensuring dignity after retirement.