The disclosure in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly regarding pending financial liabilities, particularly in the case of pensioners, highlights a critical issue that demands immediate attention and strategic intervention. With GPF, gratuity, leave salary and commutation bills of retired employees amounting to Rs 3464.35 crore pending in 121 Government treasuries, the situation presents a grim picture of financial management within the Union Territory. While the Government claims that these liabilities are not a result of poor financial planning, the reality suggests that there is much to be desired in terms of prioritisation and allocation of funds. What raises concern is the contrast in financial allocation between contractors’ bills and pensioners’ dues. While the Government has successfully cleared contractors’ bills amounting to Rs 6184 crore, the pensioners continue to await their rightful payments. This raises fundamental questions regarding the administration’s financial priorities. Pensioners, who have dedicated decades of service to the Government, deserve prompt and dignified disbursal of their rightful dues.
Government officials have stated that payments are cleared based on the availability of resources. However, it is disheartening to note that contractors’ bills, which often pertain to capital works and infrastructure projects, have been settled expeditiously while pensioners’ payments remain in limbo. The immediate question that arises is whether the administration has been fair and equitable in allocating financial resources. The magnitude of pending pensioners’ bills cannot be ignored. According to the Government’s response in the Assembly, GPF liabilities stand at Rs 1803.37 crore, gratuity at Rs 1049.27 crore, leave salary at Rs 388.22 crore, and commutation at Rs 223.69 crore. These are not just numbers on paper; they represent thousands of retired employees who rely on these funds for their sustenance and well-being. While the Government claims to have cleared Rs 5200 crore towards GPF liabilities, Rs 1041 crore towards gratuity, Rs 953 crore towards commutation, and Rs 278 crore for leave salary in 2024-25, it still falls short of fully addressing the backlog. Pensioners, many of whom are in their twilight years, are often dependent on these payments to meet their daily needs, medical expenses, and other financial obligations. Delays in payments lead to undue hardships, causing stress and financial insecurity among retired employees.
Additionally, the Government has cited various austerity measures and fiscal prudence initiatives to justify its financial decisions. While the figures suggest a positive trajectory in financial health, the question remains: why are pensioners still waiting for their dues? If revenues have increased and savings have been made, why hasn’t this translated into the timely clearance of financial liabilities towards pensioners? Another aspect that calls for scrutiny is the allocation of funds for the purchase of vehicles by Government departments. While the functioning of departments is crucial, one must question whether such expenditures could have been deferred or curtailed in favour of settling outstanding pensioners’ dues. In times of financial crunch, prioritisation of essential payments over discretionary spending should be the guiding principle of financial governance.
The Government must adopt a more balanced approach to financial planning, ensuring that pensioners’ dues are prioritised alongside infrastructure and development projects. While capital works are vital for economic growth and development, it should not come at the cost of neglecting those who have served the Government faithfully. One possible solution could be the establishment of a separate pensioners’ fund, ensuring that financial allocations for retired employees are not subject to fluctuations in treasury availability. Additionally, a timeline for the clearance of pending dues must be established to provide certainty and security to pensioners. The welfare of retired employees should not be relegated to secondary status in the grand scheme of financial planning. By adopting a more empathetic, structured, and transparent approach to fund allocation, the administration can ensure that pensioners receive their rightful dues without unnecessary delays. Financial governance must strike a balance between development projects and social responsibilities-only then can it be deemed truly effective and just.
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