Political leaders including Sanjay Singh, Shakti Singh Gohil and Nagesh Astikar extend support to thousands of EPS-95 pensioners at Jantar Mantar
New Delhi, March 10, 2026:
The three-day protest by EPS-95 pensioners at Jantar Mantar intensified on its second day as thousands of retired workers from states including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Goa, and others converged in large numbers to press their demands.
The EPS-95 National Agitation Committee (NAC) led the powerful demonstration, with National President Commander Ashok Raut urging the Labour Minister to visit the site and announce a pension increase on the spot. Pensioners highlighted the stark injustice: despite contributing 30-35 years of monthly deductions during their service, they receive an average of just ₹1,171 per month—far below what the government provides under other schemes (₹3,000–₹5,000). Many elderly participants are living in dire financial distress, yet the government remains indifferent.
In a significant show of solidarity, prominent Members of Parliament joined the protesters at the venue. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, Congress MP from Bhavnagar (Gujarat) Shakti Singh Gohil, and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP from Hingoli (Maharashtra) Nagesh Astikar addressed the gathering. They strongly criticized the government for delaying justice, extended full support to the pensioners’ cause, and pledged to raise the issue forcefully in Parliament.
NAC leaders, including National General Secretary Virendra Singh Rajawat, National Chief Coordinator Rama Kant Nargund, National Secretary Rajiv Bhatnagar, Sarita Narkhede, Om Shankar Tiwari, S.N. Ambekar, S.N. Kulkarni, Tapan Datta, Shree Lakshmi, Shashibhan Singh, and others, also spoke, reinforcing the movement’s resolve.
The protesters reiterated their core demands: a minimum monthly pension of ₹7,500 with dearness allowance, free medical treatment for pensioners and spouses, full implementation of higher pension benefits per Supreme Court directives, and inclusion of those currently excluded from the scheme.
The agitation, which has remained completely peaceful and disciplined throughout its decade-long history, will continue on March 11—the final day—with expectations of even greater participation. The NAC has appealed to the government to respond urgently during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament and engage in meaningful dialogue to restore dignity and financial security to over 80 lakh EPS-95 pensioners across India.
