The EPS95 National Agitation Committee has called for a nationwide protest on August 5 at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi, demanding a minimum monthly pension of ₹7,500 under the Employee Pension Scheme. According to the committee's press release, thousands of pensioners covered under EPS-95 are set to gather at the protest venue as part of their long-standing demand for pension reforms. The committee states that nearly 81 lakh EPS-95 pensioners have been pursuing these demands for over a decade, with years of representations, peaceful protests, and appeals to the government failing to bring meaningful policy decisions. As per PTI reports, the demonstration has been called as "years of representations, peaceful demonstrations and appeals to the government have not resulted in any meaningful policy action". The committee also warned that if its demands continue to remain unaddressed, it may intensify its agitation.
The minimum monthly pension under the Employee Pension Scheme (EPS) currently stands at ₹1,000, which was enforced on September 1, 2014. The EPS is administered by the retirement body EPFO. As reported by the committee, a large number of EPS95 beneficiaries receive an average monthly pension of about ₹1,171, an amount the committee believes is "grossly inadequate in today's economic conditions" in today's economy. The committee emphasizes that workers who devoted decades of service to the country's industrial and economic growth deserve retirement income that ensures financial security and a dignified life.
The committee's primary demands include raising the minimum monthly pension to ₹7,500, providing Dearness Allowance (DA), extending free medical facilities to pensioners and their spouses, and ensuring that eligible retirees receive benefits of higher pension in accordance with Supreme Court judgments. According to PTI reports, Commander Ashok Raut, national president of the committee, told the news agency that "despite repeated assurances from the government, no concrete action has been taken". The committee maintains that the demand for a ₹7,500 minimum pension is not for special treatment but for a basic standard of social security, stating that if the government continues to ignore their demands, self-immolation would be their 'last resort'. Recent legal developments show the Punjab High Court has restrained the state government from spending on large-scale advertising campaigns until pending Dearness Allowance arrears are cleared, with the court holding that financial constraints cannot justify withholding accrued service benefits from employees and pensioners.
Acknowging the EPS-95 National Agitation Committee's demands, Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje in a written reply to the Lok Sabha on July 20 said that although several stakeholders have requested a pension increase, no decision has been made on the matter yet. As per PTI reports, Karandlaje stated that "representations have been received from various stakeholders, including trade unions and public representatives, to increase the minimum pension under the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS), 1995, from the existing ₹1,000 per month". The minister emphasized that the government remains committed to strengthening social security coverage for EPFO members, but any decision will have to take into account the sustainability of the pension fund and future liabilities. The committee's demands reflect the broader challenge of ensuring adequate retirement benefits for workers who have dedicated their careers to India's industrial growth.
