Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Aug 30 : As a first of its kind initiative, the Department of Pensions and Pensioners’ Welfare has introduced “Digi Locker” for the convenience of Pensioners, in a bid to seek ease of living for them.
Briefing about it, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also Incharge Department of Pensions, described it as a digital leap in a bid to ensure that during the COVID pandemic, new pensioners are not forced to accept physical copy of their Pension Payment Order (PPO). The electronic Pension Payment Order (e-PPO) will be integrated with Digi-Locker for the convenience of pensioners.
Using digital technology, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the e-PPOs will be instantly sent to Digi-Locker of the concerned Pensioner thus cutting all delays. This would also address the frequent problem of loss or misplacement of original PPOs by some pensioners and the subsequent hassles and misery, he said.
Dr Jitendra Singh recalled that during the period of lockdown, the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare had taken a number of initiatives for complete digitalization of the pension processing system, aimed at simplification of rules and ease of living for the elder pensioners. These include amendment in Rule 64 of CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972, to ensure that no person retiring during this period should suffer on account of delays occurring in transfer of documents and pension processes. Rule 80A was also similarly amended to start provisional Family Pension in case of the death of a government servant during service.
Dr Jitendra Singh informed that the Department has passed on detailed instructions to Pension Disbursing Banks to ensure that exception list of pensioners who are unable to give their Life Certificate was prepared and doorstep service ensured to obtain the same. The Indian Postal Payment Bank (IPPB) has been roped in to obtain Life Certificate and also facilitate Pensioners to withdraw cash while sitting at home.
A special care has been taken of the Family Pensioners, said Dr Jitendra Singh. A circular containing consolidated instructions for pension Disbursing Authorities has been issued to ensure smooth payment of pension to family pensioners as well, he said.
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