Gratitude Rally by Retired RINL Employees for Higher Pension Decision

Thousands of retired employees of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), who have begun receiving higher pensions based on their full salary over the past two months, held a “Gratitude Rally” on Wednesday from the NTR statue to the Victory at Sea Memorial at RK Beach to thank leaders instrumental in securing the benefit.

Participants carried banners featuring Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Visakhapatnam Member of Parliament M. Sribharat, Andhra Pradesh TDP president and Gajuwaka MLA – Palla Srinivas, AP BJP President P.V.N. Madhav, EPFO Central Board of Trustees (CBT) member S. Mallesham, NCOA Chairperson V.K. Tomar, VSP Trust Chairman H.K. Jha, and Trust Secretary Ram Prasad.

A felicitation meeting followed at Ambika Seagreen Hotel, honouring MP Sribharat, CBT member Mallesham, and NCOA chairperson Tomar. Steel Officers Association president K.S.S. Chandra Rao and general secretary K.V.D. Prasad credited the timely intervention of political leaders and union representatives for resolving the long-pending EPS-95 higher pension issue.

Mr. Chandra Rao also acknowledged State BJP president P.V.N. Madhav for his role in securing RINL SBF pension and addressing Group Medical Insurance matters, while appealing for a fresh opportunity for around 1,100 employees who missed paying the required amount in 2023–24 due to lack of clarity. The MP was urged to push for the merger of VSP with the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).

Retiree representative Vasa Srinivasamurthy described the higher pension as a “rebirth” for many, while senior citizens’ leader Gajendra Rao praised the combined efforts of unions and political leaders.

NCOA chairperson Tomar noted that over ₹3 crore had been spent since 2016 on the legal fight, which involved senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Vikas Singh, culminating in a Supreme Court verdict in favour of higher pensions. Mallesham said more than 17 lakh people from over 1,100 exempted trusts had applied, with only about 4 lakh confirmed eligible so far. He recalled how VSP’s initial rejection was overturned through persistent representations.

MP Sribharat expressed pride in contributing to the cause and vowed continued support for retirees’ concerns.

The event was attended by Steel Officers Association vice-president T. Srinivasa Rao, senior citizens’ representatives Bosubabu, Rafi, Bhaskara Raju, veteran leaders Murali Raju, DJRK Raju, Dasaradh, Koteswara Rao, Swamy, and hundreds of retired employees. DAV School retired teachers also submitted a memorandum on pending pension claims.

Later, Mallesham, Ram Prasad, and Mutyalu met Regional PF Commissioner Mishra, who assured that unresolved issues would be addressed at the earliest.