I
Sir,
This refers to the concern of retirees, highlighted in media and through ‘letters to the editor’ with regard to the ‘Fixation of revised pension’ after implementation of 7th Pay Commission. The un-satisfactory guidelines issued initially and later modified to the extent that such forms requesting for revised pension after being authenticated by the last DDO of the retiree are to be deposited with the concerned Treasury Officer, disbursing the pension of the retiree, than in the office of AG. A fact overlooked by Finance Department is that the number of retirees from Jammu region have their last DDO’s placed in Kashmir valley right from Kupwara to Anantnag, Kargil and Leh districts likewise those retirees belonging to Kashmir valley as well as Ladakh have their last DDO’s from Kathua to Poonch, Ramban, Kishtwar and Doda districts. The authentication of form requires personal visit of the retiree to his last DDO. It is not feasible rather impossible for such retirees having their last DDO’s in far flung areas across the state at this stage of their last hopeful days for prayers and more so by Jammu region based retirees in present disturbed atmosphere in valley.
One important aspect that is not conceived by the Finance Department is with regard to authentication of information incorporated in the Form, that of date of retirement, last pay drawn and pay fixed at the time of the retirement by AG office. Why the facts that are contained in the ‘Pension Book’ of the retiree, relying upon which the monthly pension is disbursed through concerned J&K Banks, opted by the retiree, is not taken into consideration as authenticated subject?. The “Pension Books” are placed in the custody of the concerned bank branch and not in the custody of DDO’s or the retirees or retained by Treasury Officers concerned. So the exercise involved in this whole episode of ‘Pension Revision’ is to be undertaken by retiree himself. Firstly, by requesting in writing to concerned bank for copy of the Pension Book and PPO, fill in the form, visit to last DDO for authentication of information and then to deposit the same with concerned Treasury Officer at the district headquarter. This cumbersome journey is tiring, time consuming and financial burden on the retiree already in crisis.
A well-thought and flawless advice should be taken into consideration by the Finance Department as to direct concerned Treasury Officers to obtain such data about retirees directly from the concerned J&K Bank branches involved in the payment of pension as the ‘Pension Books’ of all such retirees are lying in the custody of the Bank.
Jamwal Mahadeep Singh
Udhampur.
II
Sir,
The J&K Government ordered for the rationalization of pension structure of pre-01.01.2016 pensioners/family pensioners, vide Govt. Order 222-F of 2018 dated 24.04.2018. In terms of the said Government Order the pension under formulation-II is to be authorized by the Accountant General.
Subsequently, the State Finance Department issued OM NO.A/Misc (2008)-temp-1236 dated 14.06.2018 which inter-alia states that the case shall be forwarded by the Pension Sanctioning Authority. This is nothing but harassment for the Pensioners in this old age when they have multiple health problems. I have retired from Education department in 1986 and was posted in Kangan at the time of my retirement. It is not possible for me to go to Kangan to submit my case in view of my health and old age. Since all data regarding Last Pay Scale, Last pay drawn & Qualifying service rendered by the pensioner is already with Accountant General’s Office the best possible way to settle these cases without harassment to the pensioners is that the AG’ Office revises their pension without involving the Pension Sanctioning Authority as was done in all revisions in the past ordered vide G.O.275-F/276-F of 1998 dated 14.10.1998, 90-F/91-F of 2001 dated 28.03.2001 & 216-F of 2009 dated 24.09.2009.
Rules are to be applied in their true spirit to mitigate the sufferings of the common man. The State Government should order for revision of pension under Formulation-II of the G.O. 222-F of 2018 dated 24.04.2018 directly by the Accountant General Jammu & Kashmir.
Hope that the Government takes necessary action in the matter. I also request the members of Pensioners Association to wake up from deep slumber and pursue the case with the authorities concerned.
Narinder Koul
On e-mail
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