Government to address demand for higher pension: EPS-95 NAC

Higher pension demand: The government has pledged to consider the demands of 78 lakh pensioners who are seeking a minimum monthly pension of Rs 7,500, according to the EPS-95 National Agitation Committee (NAC).

In a statement released on Friday, the pensioners' body announced that Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya met with its representatives and assured them that the government would take necessary steps to address their concerns.

The assurance followed a protest organised by members of the EPS-95 National Agitation Committee in the national capital on Wednesday.

The committee stated that its members, who travelled from various parts of the country, protested against the government, demanding a higher pension instead of the current average monthly pension of Rs 1,450. The body added that around 3.6 million pensioners receive less than Rs 1,000 per month.

Committee president Ashok Raut commented, “Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has assured us that the government is serious about finding solutions to our problems. Mandaviya conveyed that the Prime Minister is also committed to addressing our concerns.”

Raut highlighted that despite long-term contributions to the pension fund, pensioners receive very low pensions, making it difficult for an elderly couple to survive on the current amounts.

"We demand an increase in the pension to Rs 7,500 per month, along with dearness allowance and free health facilities for the spouse of the pensioner. The current pension amount makes it difficult for an elderly couple to survive," Raut said.

He further mentioned that several MPs from opposition parties, including Congress and NCP’s Sharad Pawar, have met with the organisation's members and assured them of their support in seeking a higher pension.

Raut added that the 7.8 million pensioners have been demanding an increase in the minimum pension for the past eight years, but their demands have not yet been addressed by the government.

The EPS-95 National Agitation Committee, representing around 78 lakh retired pensioners and 7.5 crore working employees from various industrial sectors, is headquartered in Maharashtra.

(With PTI inputs)