EPS-95 members seek Rs 7,500 minimum pension

The Employees Pension Scheme (EPS-95), 1995 members have demanded a minimum Rs 7,500 pension under the scheme to the retired staff throughout India.

Currently, the EPS-95 provides a minimum monthly pension of Rs 1,000.

Under the EPS-95 scheme, there are around 60 lakh pensioners, of whom about 40 lakh are getting below Rs 1,500 per month and others a maximum of Rs 2,000 - Rs 2,500 per month, a press statement said.

The issue has been raised in the parliament and discussions took place over two years. After prolonged discussions in the parliament, the labour minister announced setting up of another expert committee on the subject but the delay in decision is hampering the livelihood of 60 lakhs old-age families.

All-India EPS-95 Pensioners Sangharsh Samiti National Convenor Commander, Ashok Raut, said that around 60 lakh retired employees get less than Rs 2,500 monthly pension which was not enough to meet their daily needs.

He said, "Those people who live in cities or posh areas don't have any problem, but the overall problem is faced by villagers or the poor."

"Pensioners' demand involves withdrawal of EPFO interim /96/vol.II/4432 Dated 31 May, 2017 giving EPS95 pensioners the choice of higher pension and suspension of Shri Mukesh Kumar, RPFC who has disobeyed and superseded by issuing interim letter dated 31/05/2017. Secondly, Rs 7500/- as a basic pension plus DA. Until this demand is fulfilled, Rs 5000/- plus DA be granted as an interim relief considering inflation since Koshiyari Committee recommendations ( i.e Rs 3000/- or more plus DA) and provide free medical facilities to all EPS 95 pensioners and their spouses," the statement added.

Virendra Singh, chief coordinator, EPS-95, said, "We, members of EPS-95, are on a three-day hunger strike at the head office of the CPFC and after that, if our demands are not fulfilled, we will start an agitation march on December 7 from the Ramleela ground to the parliament.