EPS-95 Pensioners Call for Nationwide Protest at Jantar Mantar on August 5; Know Their Key Demands
EPS-95 pensioners have planned a nationwide protest at Jantar Mantar demanding a minimum monthly pension hike to INR 7,500, DA linkages, and free medical care. The government stated no final decision has been made yet, citing pension fund sustainability. Scroll below to know the demands of the EPS95 National Agitation Committee.
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The EPS-95 National Agitation Committee has called for a nationwide protest at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, urging the central government to fulfil long-pending pension reforms. Thousands of retirees covered under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS-95) are expected to gather to press for a minimum monthly pension of INR 7,500, citing severe financial distress under the current framework.
Key Demands of the Protesting Pensioners
Administered by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), the minimum monthly pension under the EPS currently stands at INR 1,000, a figure that was enforced on September 1, 2014. The agitation committee notes that years of representations and peaceful appeals have failed to yield meaningful policy changes. EPFO Claim Status Explained: What ‘Pending’, ‘Under Process’, ‘Settled’ and Other PF Claim Messages Mean.
The core demands put forward by the committee include:
- Raising the minimum monthly pension to INR 7,500
- Implementing Dearness Allowance (DA) linkages
- Extending free medical facilities to pensioners and their spouses
- Ensuring higher pension benefits for eligible retirees in accordance with Supreme Court judgments
Economic Hardships and Leadership Stance
National President of the committee Commander Ashok Raut highlighted that nearly 81 lakh pensioners have pursued these revisions for over a decade. He noted that a large number of beneficiaries receive an average monthly pension of about INR 1,171, which remains "grossly inadequate in today's economic conditions". Emphasising that the retirees devoted decades of service to India's industrial and economic growth, the committee maintained that the requested hike represents a basic standard of social security rather than special treatment. EPFO Fast-Tracks PF Withdrawals, Aims To Settle Claims Within 24–48 Hours.
Government Response in Parliament
Addressing the demands in the Lok Sabha on July 20, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje stated that while various stakeholders have requested an increase, no final decision has been made. The minister noted that the government provides the existing minimum pension through budgetary support alongside annual contributions to the EPFO. However, any future revision must carefully balance enhanced social security with the long-term financial sustainability of the pension fund and future liabilities.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 04, 2026 05:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
