Dhaka, August 3- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced the cancellation of the proposed pension system for universities, autonomous institutions, and government entities during a meeting with the Professional Coordination Council at Ganobhaban on Saturday afternoon.

The decision follows protests by public university teachers who opposed the mandatory inclusion in the government's universal pension scheme, "Praytaya." The teachers had threatened to go on a complete strike starting July 1 if their demands were not met, leading to the suspension of classes, examinations, and academic activities.

In response to the protests, Education Minister Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury, along with Prime Minister's advisor on education and culture Kamal Abdul Nasser Chowdhury, held discussions with university teachers on July 29. These negotiations were part of the broader discussions about the pension scheme, which officially began on July 1, the start of the current financial year.

The Prottoy scheme, introduced on January 31, 2023, aimed to create a sustainable pension system for various sectors, including self-governing, autonomous, and state-owned entities. However, the government has decided to revoke this plan following the significant backlash from educators and other stakeholders.