If INDIA bloc wins Bihar, old pension scheme will return, says Himachal CM Sukhu

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday declared that if the INDIA bloc comes to power in Bihar, it will reintroduce the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) , replicating the model implemented in his state soon after the Congress assumed office.

Explaining the scheme, Sukhu said the OPS guarantees a fixed monthly pension to retired government employees , calculated as 50 percent of the last drawn salary, with the amount being fully funded by the government. It was discontinued in 2004 and replaced with the New Pension Scheme (NPS) , where employees contribute a portion of their salary towards a market-linked fund. The Congress has long argued that OPS offers greater financial security to employees post-retirement.

Addressing reporters in Patna, Sukhu said that two decades of NDA rule had failed to bring visible development to Bihar, pointing out that “64 percent of people still live on just ₹66 a day.” He added that Bihar, which once held vast potential as a tourism hub, “has been left in a dismal state by the ruling coalition.”

Citing his government’s record, Sukhu said the OPS was restored in Himachal Pradesh in the first cabinet meeting of his tenure, benefiting nearly 1.36 lakh government employees . “The decision was part of Rahul Gandhi’s commitment to fulfil Congress promises, not an election stunt,” he asserted.

He alleged that the Bihar government was attempting to “buy goodwill” by distributing ₹10,000 to women before the assembly polls. Drawing a contrast between the two states, Sukhu noted that Bihar’s per capita income stands at ₹87,000 , while Himachal Pradesh has reached ₹2.57 lakh .

Highlighting welfare reforms in his state, Sukhu said Himachal has introduced record MSP on milk , boosted organic farming , and promoted electric vehicles in public transport . He also claimed that the state’s education ranking improved from 21st to 5th in ASER reports since the Congress government took charge.

Outlining the INDIA bloc’s roadmap for Bihar, Sukhu promised free healthcare coverage up to ₹25 lakh , monthly aid of ₹2,500 to women, widows, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, along with policies to promote self-employment and higher education .

When asked about the absence of a Muslim face in the alliance’s leadership, the Himachal CM said, “The Congress represents the entire nation. It was the party that fought for India’s independence and gave people the freedom of speech and expression. Every Indian has a Congress voter hidden within.”