Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 16: A meeting was convened by Pensioners & Senior Citizens Welfare Society J&K under the chairmanship of its president, Mir Gh Rasool Botvani which among other members was attended by Gh Mohi ud Din Shilvati general secretary, Comrade Baldev Raj, D N Sadhu State secretary.
After threadbare discussions held on the recent orders of Finance Department wherein retired pensioners have been asked to present themselves before the Bank and Treasury Officers for physical verification the meeting stated that Government should do verification but it should be in a simple manner as almost all above 60 years of age are senior citizens and are having multiple health problems therefore they cannot stand in queues in banks and treasuries during hot and cold weather. Besides there are good number of pensioners who are abroad outside country and outside UT therefore the directions issued needs reconsideration and modified for which the meeting urged Lieutenant Governor, Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary Finance for modification of these directions with some simple and alternative mode of verification just like life certificate so that none of the pensioner/ family pensioner may feel inconveniences.
Jammu Kashmir National United Forum (JKNUF) working president Rakesh Handoo has also expressed his concern over the order. He said the recent directive requiring J&K State Government pensioners to undergo verification at their respective treasuries by September 30, is deeply flawed and inconsiderate. Previously, annual verification could be done at any J&K Bank branch nationwide. This new mandate forces pensioners including displaced Kashmiri Pandits now scattered across India, to travel to Jammu or Delhi. This is especially burdensome for senior citizens, such as those settled for example in Bengaluru, who now face an impossible task of arranging travel and assistance.
The order claims that those over 80 will be verified at home, yet treasury staff admits this is impractical due to staff shortages. This oversight neglects the needs of elderly and ailing pensioners, leaving them to struggle for their daily and medical expenses.
He demanded immediate modification of order so that no inconvenience is faced by pensioners and family pensioners.
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