The RSS-affiliate trade union Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh has urged the government to increase the minimum pension under the Employees Pension Scheme, 1995 to Rs 5,000 a month and link the Ayushman Bharat medical schemes to all EPS-95 pensioners while exempting senior citizens from income tax. The current minimum monthly pension under the EPS 95 is Rs 1,000.

“Even during the COVID-19 days those who have worked lifelong got only a paltry amount of minimum pension of Rs 1,000. This is less than a destitute pension. Hence the EPS pension should be raised to Rs 5,000,” BMS said in its submission to the finance minister during the pre-budget consultation meeting of central trade unions with FM Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday.

“Ayushman Bharat medical scheme should be extended all EPS 95 pensioners and any hike in minimum pension in EPS 95 should be universal hike to all 65 lakh pensioners,” it said, adding that senior citizens be exempted from IT and interest rate on fixed deposits should be protected to ensure smooth income in old age.

BMS also asked for extension of the Employees’ State Insurance health scheme to new sectors like plantation, beedi workers and scheme workers saying it is the best health insurance scheme and is also one of the most profitably run schemes.

Further, it urged the government to formulate protection measures including “equal pay for equal work”, minimum wages, financial support etc. for contract labourers, especially in PSUs and the government-run departments.