Every year on November 16, pensioners across the country observe a nation-wide protest against the EPS 95 scheme. In Visakhapatnam, members of the All Pensioners Retired Persons Association gathered at the Regional PF Office in Marripalem to demand a hike in the minimum pension. Since November 16 fell on a Sunday, this year’s protest was held on November 17.
Pensioners Demand Hike in Minimum EPS95
Pensioners from various government and private organisations took part in the protest, expressing their struggles with the current minimum pension of ₹1,000 per month. Addressing the gathering, the association’s State general secretary K. Sudhakar Rao said that even after conducting protests every year for the last 15 years, the Centre has not increased the minimum pension or resolved pensioners’ issues.
District secretary Sk. Hussain said the pensioners were unable to manage daily expenses and demanded that the minimum pension be increased to ₹9,000 and linked with the DA. He also stressed that both the retired employee and their spouse should receive medical facilities.
The association also urged the government to extend the higher pension facility to those who retired before and after September 1, 2014. Pensioners further demanded the restoration of railway concessions for senior citizens, which were discontinued during COVID-19.
District vice president UVSN Varma criticised the EPFO for not extending higher pension benefits to employees of exempted establishments. He pointed out that all High Courts in the country had ruled in favour of pensioners and called for immediate implementation of those judgments.
Before concluding the meeting, the association leaders thanked all supporters who contributed funds for the upcoming protests scheduled for December 9 and 10.
Disclaimer
This article is based on statements from pensioners and association leaders. It aims to provide simplified and clear information for general readers. Official policy decisions may differ from the demands raised during the protest.
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