Pensioners seek increase in monthly pay

NASHIK: Hundreds of pensioners from the city on Thursday staged demonstrations demanding hike in monthly pension from existing Rs 1,000 to Rs 9,000 per month.
Sarkarwada police detained over 300 pensioners under the Employees Provident Fund Office (EPFO) while they were about to march towards the district collectorate from Idgah ground, following sit-in agitations.
"They were immediately released. Two pensioners had fainted and were admitted to the civil hospital. They were discharged after their condition stabilised," said Raju Desle, president of the Nashik district pensioners' association.
Presently, there are close to 60 lakh pensioners across the country under has EPF 95, including 13 lakh in the state. In Nashik district, there are around 40,000 pensioners. Around 186 establishments come under the EPF 95.
The protesters have been demanding monthly pension of Rs 9,000 a month, including dearness allowance and better medical facilities through ESIS hospitals.
"Presently, these pensioners are getting monthly pension of Rs 1,000 per month only. How will they manage with such a paltry amount," Desle said.
Before the Lok Sabha elections in 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party had promised to increase the pension to Rs 3,000 per month along with dearness allowance if it came to power. They rued that the BJP has not fulfilled its promises.