Thousands of pensioners from different parts of the country are set to gather in the national capital for a three-day protest beginning March 9, demanding a substantial increase in the minimum pension under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS-95). The protest will take place at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and is expected to continue until March 11. The agitation has been organised by the EPS-95 National Agitation Committee (NAC), which has been campaigning for pension reforms for several years.
The protest will coincide with the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament, a period when several major policy and economic issues are being discussed by lawmakers. Pensioners’ organisations hope that holding the protest during this time will draw the attention of Members of Parliament and policymakers toward the long-standing concerns of retired workers who depend on the EPS-95 pension scheme for their livelihood.
The agitation will be led by Commander Ashok Raut, the National President of the EPS-95 National Agitation Committee. Under his leadership, the committee has been advocating reforms in the pension system and highlighting the financial challenges faced by millions of pensioners across the country. The NAC has been actively raising the issue for nearly nine years through demonstrations, memoranda, and representations submitted to government authorities.
According to the committee, approximately 81 lakh pensioners across India depend on the EPS-95 scheme, which is administered by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). The scheme provides monthly pension benefits to employees who contributed to the pension fund during their working years. However, pensioners’ organisations claim that the current pension amount remains extremely low compared to the cost of living.
The committee stated that many retirees who contributed to the pension scheme for nearly 30 to 35 years receive an average monthly pension of around ₹1,171. Pensioners argue that this amount is insufficient to cover even basic expenses such as food, medicine, and housing. As a result, many elderly citizens who rely on the pension scheme face serious financial hardships after retirement.
Members of the National Agitation Committee have repeatedly called on the government to revise the minimum pension amount and introduce additional welfare measures for retirees. They say that a fair pension system is essential to ensure dignity and financial security for workers who have spent decades contributing to the country’s workforce.
The EPS-95 pension scheme covers workers from various sectors, including central and state government public sector undertakings, cooperative institutions, private sector companies, industrial mills, and media organisations. Pensioners from these sectors have been participating in the movement organised by the NAC and supporting its demand for pension reforms.
Over the years, the committee has submitted several representations to the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, and Members of Parliament across political parties. Through these communications, pensioners’ organisations have urged policymakers to address the financial difficulties faced by retired workers and implement meaningful reforms in the pension system.
According to NAC leaders, one of the most pressing issues faced by pensioners is the extremely low monthly pension amount. They argue that the pension structure has not kept pace with inflation and rising living costs. As prices of essential goods, healthcare services, and housing continue to increase, pensioners say that surviving on the current pension amount has become increasingly difficult.
Another major concern raised by pensioners’ organisations is the lack of comprehensive medical facilities for retired workers. Many elderly pensioners require regular medical care and treatment, but the absence of adequate healthcare support adds to their financial burden. Pensioners have therefore demanded improved healthcare benefits along with an increase in pension amounts.
Speaking about the upcoming protest, Commander Ashok Raut said the organisation has been raising the issue of pension reforms for almost a decade. He noted that thousands of retirees across the country are struggling to manage their daily expenses due to the low pension amount provided under the scheme.
Raut emphasized that the protest aims to draw the attention of the government and lawmakers toward the urgent needs of pensioners. He appealed to Members of Parliament and government authorities to address the long-pending demands of EPS-95 pensioners and ensure that retired workers receive a dignified pension.
Large delegations of pensioners from various states are expected to travel to New Delhi to participate in the demonstration. Organisers anticipate that the protest will attract participants from different regions of the country, reflecting the widespread concerns among retirees regarding pension adequacy.
Participants in the protest plan to raise their demands through peaceful demonstrations, speeches, and meetings with policymakers. The organisers have urged pensioners to participate in the movement in a disciplined and peaceful manner while highlighting the hardships faced by elderly citizens.
Pensioners’ groups believe that increasing the minimum pension and improving welfare measures would significantly improve the quality of life for millions of retired workers. They argue that workers who have spent decades contributing to the economy deserve financial security and dignity in their retirement years.
As the protest begins on March 9, attention is likely to focus on the concerns of EPS-95 pensioners and the broader debate surrounding pension reforms in India. The demonstration at Jantar Mantar is expected to amplify the voices of pensioners seeking policy changes that ensure adequate social security for retired citizens.
