The issue of extending pension benefits to staff of aided educational institutions in the State will be referred to the committee constituted to recommend measures for the effective implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa informed the Legislative Council.

Raising the issue in the Council on Monday (March 16), BJP member S.V. Sankanur urged the government to consider pension benefits for employees of aided educational institutions who were appointed prior to 2006 and later brought under the grant-in-aid system, as well as those appointed after 2006. 

In his written reply, Mr. Bangarappa referred to a meeting held on December 10, 2025, during the Winter Session of the Legislature in Belagavi, where the issue had been discussed. He said the government would examine the proposal for bearing the National Pension System (NPS) contribution of aided school teachers and would hold further consultations with the Finance Department.

Manifesto assurance

Members, however, expressed strong objections to the reply. Mr. Sankanur said the Congress party had given an assurance on the issue in its election manifesto. He pointed out that Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had also made a statement in the House during the Belagavi session, and argued that the Minister’s response appeared to contradict that assurance.

BJP member Shashil Namoshi noted that the Supreme Court had described pension as a constitutional right. Another member, Puttanna, drew attention to the fact that a similar issue existed in aided institutions under the Higher Education Department as well.

Mr. Bangarappa said he was the vice-chairperson of the Congress manifesto committee in 2023 and was fully aware of the assurances made.

The Minister said the government would refer the pension issue concerning employees of aided educational institutions under both the School Education and Higher Education departments to the committee set up to examine the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme.