Pensioners’ Forum Expresses Disappointment Over Budget, Demands Reconsideration

The Pensioners’ Forum has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Union Budget, stating that it has failed to address the long-pending demands of government employees and retired personnel.

Speaking on behalf of the forum, General Secretary Anand Awasthi said that the budget has caused deep disappointment among serving employees as well as pensioners, as none of their key demands were fulfilled. He specifically highlighted that there was no increase in the pension of EPS-95 retirees, a move that has adversely affected nearly 9.5 million retired workers and their families across the country.

Awasthi said that pensioners had hoped for relief measures in the budget, particularly for those dependent on the Employees’ Pension Scheme-95 (EPS-95), but the absence of any revision has come as a major setback.

“The budget has ignored the concerns of employees and pensioners. Even the pension of EPS-95 retirees has not been increased, which has caused distress to around 95 lakh retired workers and their families,” Awasthi said.

He urged the government to reconsider the issue and take corrective steps to address the grievances of pensioners and retired employees, emphasising the need for social security and financial dignity for senior citizens.