Struggling to Survive on ₹1,000: Will EPS 95 Pensioners Ever Be Heard?
A Life of Hard Work, Followed by a Life of Hardship
In the twilight of their lives, thousands of retired workers in India are dealing with a bitter reality — decades of service across the country are yielding a monthly pension of just ₹1,000 under the EPS 95 scheme. It’s an amount that wouldn’t even get you a week’s worth of groceries in the modern world. And across the country, from north to south, pensioners have taken to the streets and out of their homes, not in anger but out of desperation. And that is their message: ₹1,000 is not enough to survive, much less live with dignity.
What Is the EPS 95 Scheme and Who Is It For?
The Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) 1995 was introduced as a complementary scheme to provide relief to employees that contributed regularly to the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) after their retirement. As a matter of paper, it was a step toward financial security for India’s workforce. In practice, lots of those who rely on it now feel abandoned.
Under this scheme:
- Employees who make a contribution to the EPF during service are eligible for a pension.
- The amount they receive each month depends on years of service and contributions.
- For the most part, the figure has not changed for years, frozen at ₹1,000.
That figure might have mattered decades ago. Now, it hardly provides for basic needs.
Why the Protest, and Why Now by EPS 95 Pensioners
The voices of EPS 95 pensioners have long been speaking in silence. But over the years, frustration has boiled over into action. Now, peaceful protests are taking place in cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Lucknow. Men and women in retirement are marching to district offices, submitting pleas to government officials, and demanding what they think is rightfully theirs.
Also Read: Minimum Salary for Outsourced Staff at ₹18,000 by Modi Govt
Their reasons are clear:
- Crashing Prices: With inflation rising every day, ₹1,000 loses its meaning.
- Incurred Medical Costs: Age brings health issues, and healthcare has become unaffordable.
- Everyday Challenges: Rent, transportation, and food have grown faster than pension levels.
The Government’s Position: Words, But No Action?
Thus far, the government has only verbally assured the needy that it would help. The issue has now been acknowledged by the Ministry of Labour, which has also said that the demands are under review. There’s been talk of potential relief in the next budget, though no timeline or plan has been outlined.
That uncertainty is yet another burden for pensioners — yet another wait after so many years of waiting.
More Than Money: A Bid for Respect
Yes, a ₹9,000 pension is not about the number. It’s about giving dignity back to the lives of those who built this country. It is a call to care for senior citizens not as an afterthought, but as elders with worth who deserve care and recognition.
Their main appeals of EPS 95 Pensioners include:
- ₹9,000 Monthly Pension: To meet their basic needs and live with dignity.
- Free Healthcare: So that no pensioner has to choose between buying food and buying their medication.
- Free Meals for NEP Disturbances: To provide a handout on their plate, to ensure one sleeps hungry
These aren’t luxuries. They’re necessities.
What Needs to Change?
EPS 95, India’s pension system must be in step with times. With inflation, medical inflation and rising living costs, this calls for a more responsive and humanistic approach.
Necessary steps include:
- Periodic Pension Reviews: To align payouts with economic realities.
- More Sensible Social Security: More than just a system to support the young and working, but the old, too.
- Transparent Processes: So pensioners understand their rights and are not left in confusion.
A Struggle for Dignity, Not Only Income – EPS 95 Pensioners
The EPS 95 pensioners’ movement is not a protest or political movement; it is a movement of people. It’s about the workers who once built the roads, ran the machines, maintained the offices, and now stand in lines, demanding a life they’ve already earned. Their fight is a reminder: A nation that forgets its leaders forgets its soul.
If the government acts wisely and urgently, it will do more than change lives — it will set an example of humanity and fairness for generations to come.
