On Friday, representatives of the EPS-95 National Agitation Committee (NAC) met with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, urging the government to raise the minimum pension to Rs 7,500 per month.
The EPS-95 NAC represents approximately 78 lakh retired pensioners and 7.5 crore working employees in India’s industrial sectors. The committee has been advocating for this increase for several years, as the current average monthly pension stands at only Rs 1,450.
Government Response: Commitment to Pensioners’ Needs
During the meeting, Finance Minister Sitharaman assured the pensioners that the government is sensitive to the needs of the elderly and is taking their demands seriously. She emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring financial security for pensioners and assured the delegation that a solution would be found. A statement from the NAC quoted Sitharaman, saying, “The government is committed to ensuring financial security for pensioners, and a way out will be found.”
Previous Government Engagements
This meeting follows earlier discussions between EPS-95 NAC representatives and Union Minister for Labour and Employment Mansukh Mandaviya. In that meeting, Mandaviya also assured the pensioners that the government would take the necessary steps to address their demands. Despite these assurances, the pensioners have been advocating for an increase in their pension for the past eight years without significant progress.
Pensioners’ Demands
In addition to raising the minimum pension to Rs 7,500 per month, the EPS-95 NAC is also demanding full medical coverage for EPS members and their spouses. The pensioners argue that the current pension amount is insufficient to meet their basic needs, and they have been pressing the government to address these issues urgently.
Conclusion
The ongoing efforts by the EPS-95 National Agitation Committee highlight the pressing need for the government to address the financial challenges faced by pensioners in India. While the assurances from Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and other government officials are promising, the pensioners continue to await concrete action to improve their financial security.
