Coal Employees' Forum demands ₹10,000 minimum pension, IDA and better healthcare for coal pensionersNew Delhi : The Coal Employees' Forum has urged the Union Ministry of Coal to immediately raise the minimum monthly pension to ₹10,000, introduce Industrial Dearness Allowance (IDA), and strengthen medical and social security benefits for retired coal workers covered under the Coal Mines Family Pension Scheme (CMPFS-1971) and the Coal Mines Pension Scheme (CMPS-1998). According to the Forum, Coal India has around six lakh pensioners and family pensioners, of whom nearly 4.76 lakh are currently drawing pensions. The Forum also highlighted that over four lakh retired coal workers are without Coal India medical cards, making access to healthcare difficult. • Better medical coverage for retired coal workers and widows, including inclusion under Ayushman Bharat. The Forum said retired coal workers spent decades serving one of India's most hazardous industries and deserve a dignified life after retirement.