Steel Executives Association Urge Vishakhapatnam MP To Intervene For Higher Pension For Retired Employees
Pursuant to Supreme Court judgment in November, 2022 more than ₹ 400 Crores has been remitted to EPFO, but to no avail of pensioners
A large gathering of the RINL / Vizag Steel higher pension aspirants along with Steel Executives Association (SEA) General Secretary, KVD Prasad, met Vishakhapatnam MP, M Sribharath in his office and submitted a memorandum urging him to intervene regarding the undue delay caused by Provident Fund Organisation in sanctioning higher pensions.
It may be recalled that more than ₹ 400 Crores has been remitted to the field office of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation more than a year ago by more than 2000 entitled members, pursuant to the judgment of the Supreme Court in November 2022. The order of the Supreme Court entitles pensioners of the exempted establishments to claim higher pension on the salary averaged during 5 years preceding the date of exit.
Earlier, complying with the judgment, as part of the process of sanctioning higher pensions, the local unit of the PF began to send demand notices from October 2023, to the individual members to remit the differential arrear contributions for the period of their service. It is more than a year that there has been no progress in sanctioning higher pensions despite remittance of the demanded money which led the pensioners to meet the peoples’ representative.
Expressing displeasure over this issue, the Member of Parliament stated that he has since had a dialogue with the Minister of Labour & Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya and assured that he would once again meet him on this issue.
The Regional Provident Fund Commissioner would also be prevailed upon to act swiftly on this issue for early resolution, the MP added.
SEA General Secretary requested the Member of Parliament to talk with concerned authorities for immediate release of salaries to the employees and EFBS (employees Family Benefit Pension Scheme) widow pensions as they are pending since past three months and it is becoming difficult for them to meet daily needs. The MP assured to take up this issue with concerned authorities.
