CM seeks revision of minimum pension for EPF pensioners

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday requested the Centre to take steps for revision of minimum pension of EPF pensioners.

The Chief Minister wrote to Union Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar requesting him to fulfil the demand of EPF pensioners of the state regarding revision of minimum pension.

“I would like to draw your kind attention to the plight of around 1.62 lakh EPF pensioners all across my state, who with a paltry monthly pension after their retirement are facing much hardships in their advanced age,” said Patnaik.

He said time and again these EPS-95 Pensioners’ Associations are putting forth their grievances for revision of minimum pension by the Government of India and giving their memorandum also at the state level for redressing their cause.

 “In this connection, they are also citing a recommendation by the Petition Committee under the Chairmanship of Bhagat Singh Koshyari, MP, Rajya Sabha made during 2013 for enhancement of the monthly pension of EPS-95 pensioners, which they understand to be pending at the Government of India level for consideration,” the CM informed.

“The grievance of these pensioners deserve sympathetic consideration at your end as they had contributed to the nation building at their prime age. And now they should be protected by the state with reasonable financial and social security. This can be ensured by re-casting their pension structure for which they have been pursuing at every level,” he added.