Tue Jan 21 15:21:58 UTC 2025: ## Visakhapatnam Steel Plant Pensioners Protest Delayed Pensions

**Visakhapatnam, January 21, 2025** – Over 1,800 retired Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) employees are facing financial hardship due to delays in receiving higher pensions, despite having paid over ₹400 crore in dues. Gajuwaka MLA and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) State president Palla Srinivasa Rao, along with VSP officers and pensioners, met with Regional Provident Fund Commissioners in Visakhapatnam to demand immediate action.

The issue stems from a 2022 Supreme Court ruling allowing employees to apply for pensions based on full salary. While over 10,000 VSP employees applied, and the plant management provided necessary information to the Regional PF Commissioner in 2023, the process has been stalled. Although demand notices were issued and many pensioners paid the required amounts, the pensions remain unpaid, with the EPFO citing objections from the Zonal Commissioner in Vijayawada.

MLA Srinivasa Rao stated that he will escalate the matter to Union Labour Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, seeking a written explanation for the delay. He also plans to meet the minister with representatives of affected pensioners to push for a resolution. The protracted delay and lack of communication have caused significant financial distress among the retired employees, many of whom took out loans anticipating the timely disbursement of their pensions.

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