Now Reading: No EPS-95 pension hike to Rs 7,500, govt tells Lok Sabha
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No EPS-95 pension hike to Rs 7,500, govt tells Lok Sabha
Minister of State for Labour Shobha Karandlaje told the Lok Sabha on 10 August that the government has not increased the minimum pension under EPS-1995 from Rs 1,000 to Rs 7,500. The…
The Story in Brief
Minister of State for Labour Shobha Karandlaje told the Lok Sabha on 10 August that the government has not increased the minimum pension under EPS-1995 from Rs 1,000 to Rs 7,500. The response cited the need to balance social security with the sustainability of the pension fund. As of 31 March 2026, 85.84 lakh pensioners were receiving monthly pensions under EPS, with total disbursement of Rs 15,819.28 crore.
The demand for a Rs 7,500 minimum pension was raised by pensioners and MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri. The government said the fund is built from employer and central contributions, and an increase would require considering future liabilities. Separately, 1.49 lakh pension orders for higher wages have been issued following the Supreme Court's 2022 ruling.
The Indian Opinion
The government's refusal to hike the minimum pension is not simply a neglect of pensioners. The EPS fund must support 85.84 lakh pensioners; an immediate hike could strain its viability. Critics should examine the fund's annual valuation before accusing the government of heartlessness. The real test will be whether the government raises the wage ceiling or increases its own contribution.
Source: livemint.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
