EPS-95 pensioners calls for nationwide protest on Aug 5, demands Rs 7,500 minimum monthly pension

New Delhi: The EPS95 National Agitation Committee has announced a nationwide protest on August 5, with thousands of pensioners expected to assemble at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to press for a minimum monthly pension of Rs 7,500 under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS).

The protest comes as pensioners continue to seek a revision of the minimum pension, which has remained at Rs 1,000 per month since September 1, 2014. The Employees' Pension Scheme is administered by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

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In a statement issued on Monday, the committee said repeated representations, peaceful demonstrations and appeals to the government over the past several years have failed to result in any concrete policy decision on pension reforms.

Apart from raising the minimum pension to Rs 7,500, the committee has demanded Dearness Allowance (DA) for EPS pensioners, free medical facilities for pensioners and their spouses, and implementation of higher pension benefits for eligible retirees in line with Supreme Court rulings.

Commander Ashok Raut, National President of the EPS95 National Agitation Committee, said nearly 81 lakh EPS-95 pensioners have been pursuing these demands for more than a decade.

He alleged that despite repeated assurances, the government has not taken any concrete steps to address the concerns of pensioners. According to the committee, many EPS-95 beneficiaries receive an average monthly pension of around Rs 1,171, which it says is insufficient to meet basic living expenses amid rising inflation.

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The committee argued that workers who contributed to the country's industrial and economic growth for decades deserve a retirement income that provides financial security and dignity. It maintained that its demand for a Rs 7,500 minimum pension is aimed at ensuring a basic level of social security rather than seeking any special privilege.

The committee also warned that if the government continues to ignore its demands, it may intensify its agitation. It claimed that self-immolation would be the "last resort" for some protesting pensioners if no action is taken.

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