Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Haryana Cabinet extends OPS, other benefits to 347 contractual drivers appointed in 2002
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, January 1, 2026– The Haryana Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, here today, gave a major relief to employees of the State Transport Department as it decided to extend the benefits of qualifying service and the Old Pension Scheme to 347 drivers who were appointed on a contractual basis in the year 2002.
The decision aims to remove long-standing pay anomalies and ensure parity among similarly placed employees.
These drivers were initially appointed on contract in 2002 and were subsequently regularised in 2006 under the Haryana Transport Department (Group-C) Haryana Roadways Service Rules, 1995, as amended from time to time.
However, since the mutual settlement in January 2014 between the Government and employees’ unions applied only to those appointed on or after January 1, 2003, the drivers appointed in 2002 were excluded from its benefits, resulting in a situation where junior drivers were drawing higher pay and pensionary benefits than their seniors.
With this decision, the drivers recruited in 2002 will be treated as regular from their initial date of appointment. It also ensures the grant of benefits such as ACP by counting service from the initial appointment date, coverage under the Old Pension Scheme and Family Pension Scheme, 1964, opening of General Provident Fund accounts.