Pensioners under Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) have intensified their demand for an increase in the minimum monthly pension amount from the current ₹1,000 to ₹9,000.
This demand has gained momentum as pensioners across the country, including those in Nashik and Chennai, staged protests and submitted appeals to government authorities.
The pensioners argue that the current amount is insufficient to meet basic living expenses, especially in the face of rising inflation and healthcare costs.
The EPFO pension scheme, introduced under Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) of 1995, currently provides a minimum pension of ₹1,000 per month.
This amount was set in 2014 and has remained unchanged despite repeated appeals from pensioners and advocacy groups.
The pensioners argue that the amount is inadequate to sustain a dignified life, particularly for those who have contributed to the scheme for decades.
EPFO Pensioners’ Key Demands
Pensioners have outlined several key demands to address their financial struggles:
- Increase in Minimum Pension: A hike in the minimum pension amount to ₹9,000 per month, along with dearness allowance, to combat inflation and rising living costs.
- Healthcare Support: Free government medical services for pensioners to alleviate the burden of healthcare expenses.
- Inclusion in Food Safety Act: Pensioners seek inclusion in the government’s food safety programs to ensure access to essential food supplies.
EPS-95 scheme currently covers approximately 80 lakh pensioners across India, including 18 lakh in Maharashtra.
Advocacy groups argue that the proposed increase to ₹9,000 would provide much-needed financial relief to these pensioners, many of whom struggle to make ends meet on the current amount.
The Chennai EPF Pensioners’ Welfare Association also pointed out the disparity between private-sector pensioners under EPS-95 and government employees covered under the Unified Pension Scheme, which assures a higher minimum pension.
Protests and Advocacy and Government Response
In Nashik, pensioners organized a demonstration outside the EPFO office in the Satpur area.
The protest was led by Raju Desle, the founder president of the Nashik District EPFO Pensioners Federation.
Raju highlighted that pensioners have been demanding an increase for over 15 years, but their pleas have largely been ignored.
Various regions of the country, including Chennai, have witnessed similar protests.
In Chennai, EPF Pensioners’ Welfare Association submitted a letter to Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, urging the government to consider their demands.
The central government has acknowledged the demands but has yet to take concrete action.
In the past, the Labour Ministry proposed doubling the minimum pension to ₹2,000 per month. However, the Finance Ministry did not approve the proposal.
Pensioners and advocacy groups are calling on the government to take immediate action to address their concerns.
They emphasize the need to ensure financial security for millions of retirees across the country.
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