The National Confederation of Pensioners’ Associations (NCPA), which represents retired employees from various Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and exempted Provident Fund establishments, has formally appealed to President Droupadi Murmu for urgent intervention. The association is seeking the President’s help to address persistent delays in the disbursement of higher pensions based on higher wages, a benefit they contend is being unfairly withheld by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
In their communication to the President, the NCPA highlighted that the issue of higher pensions is no longer a matter of legal dispute, citing existing Supreme Court orders that have already addressed the subject. The pensioners expressed significant frustration, alleging that the EPFO is deploying unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles and procedural hurdles to deny eligible retirees the financial benefits to which they are entitled. The association urged the President to use her “august moral authority” to rectify the situation.
A primary demand put forth by the NCPA is the immediate withdrawal of an EPFO circular dated January 18, 2025. The retirees have alleged that this specific administrative order was intentionally designed to evade accountability and effectively nullify regulations established by Parliament. By issuing such internal directives, the pensioners argue that the organization is attempting to circumvent the law, creating a systemic barrier for those who have already completed their service in the public sector.
Furthermore, the NCPA has called for an immediate, comprehensive litigation audit. This audit, they argue, is necessary to withdraw all “frivolous appeals” currently being pursued by the authorities against settled High Court judgments. The organization emphasized that such legal actions serve only to exhaust the resources and patience of elderly retirees, who are being subjected to what they describe as structural and procedural discrimination. They stressed that employees of exempted establishments should not be forced to navigate such a complex legal maze to access their own retirement funds.
The association’s letter also outlined specific requests regarding the process for pension applications. They are demanding that the government direct the acceptance of “Joint Options” for pensions on higher wages without imposing punitive interest penalties. According to the NCPA, any interest penalties currently being applied have accrued solely due to the EPFO’s own administrative delays, and therefore, it is unjust to hold the pensioners responsible for those costs.
To provide a pathway for resolution, the NCPA has recommended the establishment of a formal, time-bound mechanism to process claims. They noted that the advanced age of many pensioners makes the need for immediate relief critical, as current delays continue to impact their financial security. The plea to the President represents a major escalation in the ongoing struggle between retired PSU staff and the pension body, following a period where the EPFO had indicated there were no immediate plans to reopen the window for higher pension options, as stated by its CEO, Ramesh Krishnamurthi.
The outcome of this request remains to be seen, as pensioners continue to push for executive action to bring the EPFO’s procedures in line with judicial mandates. As the situation evolves, the retired employees remain hopeful that the President’s office will provide the necessary oversight to resolve the conflict and ensure that statutory retirement benefits are delivered without further institutional obstruction. For now, the retirees wait for a response that could potentially unlock long-awaited financial relief for thousands of former public sector workers across the country.
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