Mon Nov 17 10:55:20 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text followed by a rewritten news article:

Summary:

Pensioners in Visakhapatnam, India, organized a protest on November 17, 2025, against the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) 95. This protest is part of a nationwide annual demonstration held every November 16th, considered a “black day” for pensioners due to the perceived inadequacies of the scheme. Pensioners are demanding a significant increase in the minimum pension, medical facilities, and the reinstatement of railway concessions. They are also criticizing the EPFO for not extending higher pension benefits to employees of exempted establishments despite favorable court rulings.

News Article:

Indian Pensioners Protest Inadequate Pension Scheme on ‘Black Day’

Visakhapatnam, India – November 17, 2025 – Representatives from the All Pensioners Retired Persons Association staged a demonstration at the Regional PF Office in Marripalem today, protesting the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) 95. The protest, a part of the annual nationwide “black day” demonstrations held on November 16th (observed on the 17th this year due to it falling on a Sunday), highlights the ongoing dissatisfaction with the current pension system.

Pensioners from various government and private organizations participated, voicing their concerns over the low minimum pension of ₹1000, which they claim is insufficient to meet their basic needs. Key demands include raising the minimum pension to ₹9000, linking dearness allowance (DA) to the pension, providing comprehensive medical facilities for retirees and their spouses, and reinstating railway concessions for senior citizens that were previously suspended due to COVID-19.

K. Sudhakar Rao, the association’s State general secretary, stated that despite 15 years of annual protests, the central government has failed to address the pensioners’ grievances. District secretary Sk. Hussain emphasized the need for an immediate increase in the minimum pension and the implementation of DA linkage.

The association also criticized the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) for its refusal to extend higher pension benefits to employees of “exempted establishments,” a decision that UVSN Varma, District Vice President, argued contradicts multiple High Court rulings in favor of pensioners. He called for the immediate implementation of these rulings.

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