EPS-95 Pensioners Receive Support from MPs Shrikant Shinde, Naresh G. Mhaske, Shrirang Appa Barne and Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure
New Delhi: Thousands of EPS-95 pensioners from across India staged a massive protest at Jantar Mantar under the banner of the EPS-95 National Agitation Committee (NAC). They demanded a minimum monthly pension of ₹7,500, Dearness Allowance (DA), and free medical facilities for pensioner couples. The committee warned the Central Government to act on its long-pending demands without further delay. It said pensioners would launch a nationwide ‘Jail Bharo Andolan’ and lock EPFO offices across the country if their demands remain unmet.
Ashok Raut Says Pensioners Have Waited Long Enough
Addressing thousands of protesters, EPS-95 National Agitation Committee (NAC) National President Commander Ashok Raut said millions of pensioners have spent the last decade pursuing their demands through peaceful, democratic protests and repeated appeals to the government. He alleged that despite continuous assurances, no concrete action has been taken. Raut warned that if the Centre does not immediately approve a higher minimum pension, the nationwide agitation will intensify.
Commander Ashok Raut said EPS-95 pensioners are seeking only a dignified pension and access to essential healthcare. He said the current pension is too low to meet basic living expenses, while rising inflation has worsened the financial condition of elderly pensioners.
MPs Extend Cross-Party Support to EPS-95 Pensioners
The EPS-95 pensioners’ protest received strong backing from Members of Parliament across party lines. MPs Shrikant Shinde (Kalyan), Naresh G. Mhaske (Thane), Shrirang Appa Barne (Maval), and Bhausaheb Rajaram Wakchaure (Shirdi) joined the demonstration and addressed the gathering. Calling the pensioners’ demands fair and justified, the MPs assured protesters they would raise the issue in Parliament and other appropriate forums while urging the Central Government to take an early decision on the long-pending demands.
National Leaders from Across India Join EPS-95 Pensioners’ Protest
The protest witnessed the participation of several senior leaders of the EPS-95 National Agitation Committee (NAC), including National General Secretary Virendra Singh Rajawat, National Chief Coordinator Ramakant Nargund, National Vice President K.S. Tiwari, National Secretary Rajeev Bhatnagar, Women’s Wing National President Shobha Tai Aras, and National Treasurer B.S. Narkhede.
State presidents and coordinators from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and other states also addressed the gathering, highlighting the nationwide support for the pension movement.
The speakers criticised the Central Government for failing to address the long-pending demands of EPS-95 pensioners despite repeated appeals. They warned that if issues such as a higher minimum pension, Dearness Allowance (DA), and medical benefits are not resolved at the earliest, the agitation will expand across the country. The leaders stressed that pensioners now expect concrete, time-bound action instead of repeated assurances.
