EPS 95 pensioners seek higher minimum pension

National Agitation Committee (NAC) of EPS-95 members demand ₹7,500 monthly pension plus DA, health benefits, and full pension for nominees.

Members of the National Agitation Committee (NAC) of Employees Pension Scheme (EPS) 95, met in the city on Sunday and pressed for the early implementation of their long pending demand of a minimum monthly pension of ₹7,500 per month plus Dearness Allowance (DA), for EPS members.

The Mysuru convention of the NAC comprised EPS members drawn from the districts of Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu, etc.

More than 1,000 members attended the convention, and EPS-95 NAC national president Ashok Raut addressed the gathering and said their fight would continue until the demands were met. He recalled a recent meeting with the concerned officials from the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization and the Ministry of Labour. He expressed confidence that the demands were likely to be approved by the government.

Hutchappa, vice-president, Mysuru Division of NAC, said consequent to the recent meeting with the concerned authorities and assurance, the proposed strike in Delhi which was scheduled for next month, has been put off.

He said there were nearly 78 lakh EPS-95 pensioners across the country who were receiving a pittance after putting in more than 30 to 35 years of service. Hence the demand for ₹7,500 plus DA, and health benefits to the members, was valid and justified, he said. The other demands include a full pension for the nominee in case of the death of the pensioner. At present, the pension amount, which is already a pittance, gets halved on the death of the pensioner, said Mr. Hutchappa.

The convention was also an attempt to provide information for the EPS pensioners on how to avail the benefits. Mr. Hutchappa said there were thousands of people who did not know the process to applying for an EPS pension despite retiring from services.

At the convention, the speakers expressed regret that despite the EPS members putting in more than 30 to 35 years of services, a majority of them draw a pension in the range of ₹1,175 and were living in dire states.