For Lakhs of retired pensioners across India, the fight for higher pension under EPS-95 has been long and exhausting struggle. Now, in a development that has given fresh hope to many pensioners, associations from across the country have come together to form the National Confederation of Pensioners Associations (NCPA), an umbrella body meant to press for pension on actual higher wages, particularly those who retired after Sept 2014, and give the movement one united national voice.
The move comes at a crucial moment in the higher pension struggle. In spite of an order from Hon Supreme Court in 2022, EPFO continued to reject the applications for higher pension on one ground or the other. The newly formed confederation has emerged in the wake of important judgments from High Courts at Madras, Kolkata, Allahabad and recent landmark judgement from High Court of Karnataka and continued reluctance of EPFO to implement the Court orders for awarding higher pension.
NCPA says it will work to convert scattered efforts into a cohesive national movement by coordinating representations before EPFO offices, Trustees and engaging with policymakers. Its leadership includes representatives retired SAIL, IOCL, BEML, MMTC, HMT, HAL, ITI, BEL, NAFED etc, with B. N. Agrawal as President, Ms. Anuradha Roy as Vice President, Lt. Col. Satish Chandra Sharma (Retd.) as General Secretary and K. A. Narasimhan as Treasurer.
“The formation of NCPA is a major step forward. We are moving from individual struggles to a collective force. With one platform and one mission, we will engage effectively with all stakeholders to ensure justice for every retiree,” said Shri B. N. Agrawal.
