EPS 95 Scheme: Pensioners under the Employee Pension Scheme (EPS) have decided to protest on July 31 in support of their demands including minimum monthly pension of Rs 75,000. EPS-95 National Struggle Committee President Commander Ashok Raut said in a media interaction on Monday that despite contributing to the regular pension fund for a long time, pensioners are getting so little pension that it is difficult for them to even survive. He said that for the last 8 years, 78 lakh pensioners across the country have been demanding to increase the minimum pension, but the government has not yet listened to their demands.
What is EPS 95?
12% of the basic salary of the employees covered under EPS i.e. Employee Pension Scheme, 95 goes to the Provident Fund i.e. FD. Whereas, out of the 12% share of the company, 8.33% goes to EPS. Apart from this, the government also contributes 1.16% from its side to the pension fund.
Every month only 1450 rupees pension is being received
At present, pensioners are getting an average monthly pension of only Rs 1,450. Pensioners are demanding to increase the basic pension to Rs 7,500 per month along with dearness allowance and to provide free health facilities to the spouse of the pensioners. Raut said that despite talking to Prime Minister Narendra Modi twice and also to the Finance Minister and Labor Minister, no concrete action has been taken so far. Due to this, disappointment has increased among the pensioners. He said that now we will support those political parties who will come forward to solve our problems. Our struggle will continue.
Also read: ITR filing: If you are not able to file tax return by 31st July, then you will suffer the biggest loss, all the benefits including 80C will end
If the demands are not met in the meeting, then the pensioners will sit on a dharna for two days in Delhi
National Secretary of Sangharsh Samiti, Ramesh Bahuguna said that the meeting of the National Executive of the Samiti is being held in Delhi today and tomorrow i.e. on 29-30 July. The demands of the pensioners were discussed in this and it is to be held tomorrow as well. If the demands are not met, then a dharna will be held at Jantar Mantar on 31 July and 1 August, in which pensioners from all over the country will participate.
