Odisha CM Writes To Centre On Pension Revision Of EPF Pensioners

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday sought the Centre’s intervention in revision of minimum pension of EPF pensioners.

In a letter to Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Santosh Kumar Gangwar, the chief minister drew his attention to the plight of around 1.62 lakh EPF pensioners across Odisha, who are facing hardships in advanced age due to the paltry monthly pension after retirement.

Naveen pointed out that EPS-95 pensioners’ associations have appealed to the Central government for revision of minimum pension and submitted memorandum at the state level for several times.

They have cited a recommendation made by the Petition Committee headed by Rajya Sabha member Bhagat Singh Koshyari in 2013 for enhancement of the monthly pension of EPS-95 pensioners which has been pending with the Union Government, the letter stated.

Stating that the grievance of these pensioners deserves sympathetic consideration as they had contributed to the nation building at their prime age, the chief minister said they should be protected by the state with reasonable financial and social security.