Delegation of pensioners appeals to the Minister of Finance; demands a minimum monthly pension of ₹7,500 under EPS-95

According to a statement by the National Agitation Committee EPS-95, the Finance Minister informed the delegation that their demands would be assessed and dealt with in a sympathetic manner. File | Photo credit: PTI

A delegation of EPS-95 pensioners met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday (January 10, 2025) to press for their long-pending demand for a minimum monthly pension of ₹7,500 along with dearness allowance (DA) .

Under the EPS-95 or Employees Pension Scheme 1995, administered by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) pension fund organization, the existing minimum monthly pension is ₹1,000.

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According to a statement by the National Agitation Committee EPS-95, the Finance Minister informed the delegation that their demands would be assessed and dealt with in a sympathetic manner.

Commander Ashok Raut, national chairman of the committee, highlighted the plight of over 78 lakh pensioners of central and state government PSUs, private organizations and factories across the country.

Pensioners have been advocating for an increase in the minimum pension from ₹1,000 to ₹7,500 for the last seven to eight years, along with DA and free medical treatment for both the pensioner and their spouse.

“Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said that the demands of pensioners will be considered with great empathy. This assurance gives us hope, but the government must act decisively by announcing ₹7,500 as minimum pension with DA in the upcoming budget. Anything less will fail to provide the dignity that seniors deserve,” Commander Raut said.

He criticized certain labor organizations for demanding a lower minimum pension of ₹5,000, calling it inadequate and unfair to the basic needs of pensioners.

He emphasized that ₹7,500 is the minimum amount required for a dignified life.

Despite the government’s announcement in 2014 of ₹1,000 as minimum monthly pension, over 36.60 lakh pensioners still receive less than this amount, the agency said.