Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: South Goa Member of Parliament, Captain Viriato Fernandes, has raised serious concerns regarding transparency issues surrounding the Higher Pension Scheme under the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in Goa. In a letter addressed to the Minister for Labour & Employment, Fernandes has called for immediate action to address several critical challenges faced by citizens, especially senior citizens, who are currently being deprived of the full benefits of the revised pension scheme.
In his letter, Fernandes outlined several key grievances that have led to widespread dissatisfaction among retirees who opted for the higher pension scheme. These grievances include the lack of transparency in the calculation of pension amounts and interest, non-disclosure of the actual revised pension amount, the start date for payments, and the failure to provide clear information on arrears and their disbursement timeline.
*Key Concerns Raised by Fernandes:*
1. *Lack of Transparency in Pension Amount and Interest Calculation:*
According to Fernandes, EPFO’s Demand Note does not provide a detailed breakdown of how the pension amount and interest are calculated. Without this essential information, retirees are unable to verify the accuracy of the figures against their own records, such as salary slips and contribution statements.
2. *Non-Disclosure of Revised Pension Amount and Start Date:*
Employees who opted for the higher pension scheme are still in the dark about the exact revised pension amount they are entitled to receive, as well as when the payments will commence. Many retirees have expressed concerns that opting for the higher pension scheme may not have been financially beneficial due to the lack of clear communication.
3. *Non-Disclosure of Arrears and Payment Timeline:*
The EPFO has yet to provide clarity regarding the arrears owed to pensioners or when these arrears will be paid. This lack of transparency has left retirees struggling to manage their finances and uncertain about when they will receive the payments outlined in the EPFO demand notes.
*Fernandes’ Requests for Immediate Action:*
In light of these pressing issues, Fernandes has urged the Minister to take the following steps to ensure that EPFO members in Goa receive the benefits they are entitled to:
– Provide all eligible EPFO members who have opted for the higher pension scheme in Goa with a detailed working sheet showing the breakdown of due amounts and interest calculations to ensure transparency.
– Communicate the exact revised pension amount to all eligible members and specify the date from which payments will be disbursed.
– Share information on the arrears owed to pensioners and outline a clear timeline for their payment.
– Allow eligible members to inspect all relevant documents—both hard copies and digital files—related to their revised pensions at the EPFO Goa office.
Captain Fernandes emphasized the importance of addressing these issues urgently, stressing that the transparency and communication deficiencies have caused significant hardships for retirees who have contributed to the EPFO fund throughout their careers. The MP has called for prompt government intervention to resolve the situation and ensure that the interests of pensioners are protected.
