Verification of pensioners is part of the rule governing disbursement of pension money. Government has set up its own rules for verification. However, in the case of widow pensions, the Central Government had framed the rule that for verification purpose, the widow pensioners had to present themselves before two gazette officers for verification and process their case by filling Form 14 that stipulated the condition. This procedure has been causing embarrassment to the widows and there have been many complaints with the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions. Consequently, the Central Government has changed the rules in the case of widow pensioners. They will no more be required to present themselves before gazette officers for verification. All that they need to do is to produce the proof of joint saving fund account with the deceased husband and send in a letter that their pension amount is credited to the joint account. This reform brings much desired relief to the widow pensioners.
We would entreat the State Government to take the cue from this reformed rule of the Central Government and apply it to the widow pensioners in the State as well. At present the widow pensioners are required to present themselves before the Treasury Officers of concerned treasury and bring a witness to certify their identity. This cumbersome and rather embarrassing procedure for the State women pensioners should be modified and they should be allowed to get verified by the bank authority on the basis of their signature and other details. The concerned banks already have the full details of the pensioner in their record like specimen signature, date of birth, date of release of pension, identification mark, address, telephone number and PAN number etc. These documents are more than sufficient to verify a widow pensioner and release her pension amount.
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