EPS-95 NAC demands higher pension

The National Agitation Committee (NAC) for pensioners of Employees Pension Scheme 95 (EPS) demanded an increase in the minimum monthly pension of Rs7,500 plus dearness allowance (DA).

With the rising cost of healthcare post-Covid, and rising inflation, the current minimum pension is not sufficient, said K Govinda Rao, the present meeting co-ordinator for the EPS-95 National Agitation Committee.

There are over 68 lakh active members in the EPS-95 scheme. The agitation committee met on Monday to discuss the future course action plan. The meeting demands of NAC include – Rs 7,500 minimum monthly pension plus DA for all 68 lakh EPS 95 scheme pensioners; Medical facilities for pensioners and their spouses; Rs5,000 monthly pension for non-opted of EPS 95 scheme and return of capital (employee contribution).

The committee also decided to mobilise more pensioners to support regional, state and national-level rallies. The pensioners from several companies, including Toshiba T&D India Ltd and Vijai Electricals Ltd Group, participated in the meeting. They also intended to support the national-level coordination committee to intensify the agitation in continuing the presentations on the demands to the Minister of Labour and Employment and Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). The meeting appreciated the other state-level committees in conducting meetings in this regard. State president Sree Lakshmi, and Secretary Ramireddy Sama, also participated in the meeting. The committee reviewed the agitation progress since 2017.