Lakhs of state government employees went on an indefinite strike from Tuesday seeking restoration of the OPS, a defined pension scheme offering 50 per cent of the last drawn salary, hampering functioning of various services and facilities at hospitals

The new pension scheme was implemented in the state on November 1, 2005

Speaking in the Assembly, Shinde said one can take an extreme step when there is no scope for a discussion, but in the present case, the government is ready for talks with agitating employees as any decision on the pension scheme will have financial implications. "The government will take a sympathetic view (of employees demand for OPS). There are financial implications of whatever decisions we take and it has to be well thought about. The government has not taken any negative view (of the demand) and a solution will only come through dialogue," CM Shinde said

CM Shinde, said, "I request them (government employees) to hold a discussion and withdraw the strike. They have to think and discuss the issue with the government and withdraw from the strike in view of the problems being faced by people" He also mentions that there was a lot of time for employees who joined service after 2005 when the National Pension System (NPS) was introduced in place of the OPS, to retire

Maharashtra CM Shinde stated that after a meeting with employee associations on Monday, a decision was taken to form a committee to study the new and old pension schemes. The panel will submit its report in the next three months