Kolkata: September 30 was the deadline to opt for Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), the pension scheme for Central government employees that was rolled out on April 1 this year but it has met with less than lukewarm response with only 4.34% of the employees opting for this pension structure that has provisions for a guaranteed pension for the employee as well as for the spouse after the death of the employee. Unions have sought more time for the employees to consider and join and reports indicate that the authorities are mulling the possibility of extending the deadline that expires on Tuesday.

Multiple employee associations have already urged the cabinet secretary to grant an extension of the deadline by two months. According to reports, employee representatives met officials from different

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