Jamshedpur MP Urges Union Minister to Reopen Higher Pension Portal for Tata Steel Retirees

Jamshedpur: Member of Parliament (MP) Bidyut Baran Mahato met with Union Minister for Labour and Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, to advocate for retired Tata Steel employees. He urged the Minister to reopen the online portal so that eligible former employees could opt for the Higher Pension Scheme.

In a formal letter and personal meeting, MP Mahato highlighted that a group of Tata Steel retirees had approached him regarding their exclusion from the scheme. He noted that many employees missed the deadline for the EPS-95 Higher Pension benefits due to technical glitches or personal constraints, effectively depriving them of a lifelong benefit.

Key Highlights of the Appeal:

• Technical Barriers: The MP pointed out that many retirees could not complete the process due to portal issues or a lack of timely information.
• Impacted Numbers: Approximately 1,200 retired Tata Steel employees in Jamshedpur stand to benefit if the government reopens the window.
• One-Time Opportunity: He requested the Minister to consider a one-time special window to ensure no eligible retiree is left behind, aligning with the government’s commitment to employee welfare.

MP Mahato urged the Minister to intervene and issue appropriate directives to the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reportedly listened to the concerns with gravity. He assured the MP that the ministry would explore all possibilities to include the left-out retirees and would issue necessary guidelines if a viable solution is found.