Unions representing over 1.7 million semi government employees in Maharashtra have announced protest marches against the government demanding return to an older pension scheme discontinued in 2004.

India’s new pension is a contribution-based retirement savings scheme that does not guarantee any minimum pension to the employees.

The old pension provided a guaranteed pension based on the last salary.

India’s finance minister and central bank say the old pension scheme will greatly increase the government’s financial burden.

Aljazeera.