Neena Zalpuri
This takes reference to article “Pension Blues” by V K Kandhari (DE May 9) where the author appears to be too polite to J&K Finance Department and the AG. In fact situation is gloomier than what the author has described that can be called proverbial tip of the iceberg.
The role of Finance Department is at the root of all malaise. It is running on a Jand K Civil Services Regulation that is almost a century old with many a provision having become redundant and obsolete. These Regulation do still have different provision for gazetted officers and non-gazetted officers a provision that was brought to end in practice in 70s. The Government in Finance Department does not appear to have found time till date to recast these Regulations ab initio, to make them lean, mean and effective. The issue if discussed in detail would almost obfuscate the issue at hand and is therefore left for a future date. In case of so called gazetted officer the pension sanctioning authority is either the Government or Head of the Department. However, this provision is implemented more in breach for otherwise it would take pension case of a gazetted officer in School Education Department at least one year to reach the AG office. Mercifully, non- adherence has made it possible for school lecturers to get pension without any hicc up as they get cases forwarded by their DDOs and to the credit of AG office these are accepted. In the on- going pension revision the same process is being followed. To cap it all even in cases that are now being forwarded from the HOD offices these are being authenticated by CAOs/AOs of the offices and are readily accepted by the AG. Thus at the first sight the foolish requirement of getting revision forms attested by pension sanctioning authority need to be rescinded. When I retired a few year back, I had processed my pension case before my date of retirement as is the practice. When I went to Saddar Treasury for my dues to my surprise the District treasury office was not ready to accept NOC of my DDO for some three months ( although my pension case was authorized by AG on the basis of NOC issued by same DDO). He insisted for it being issued by the HOD not-withstanding the fact that I retired in non- gazetted cadre. Mercifully, he was convinced by his babu and was saved from unnecessary harassment. If such is the knowledge of rules of a DTO the situation at lower level could well be imagined.
The situation in the AG office too is of confusion and chaos. One has no wherewithal to get confirmation about receipt in the AG Office let alone in the Section concerned. We are not allowed to go in person for these inquires nor has any mechanism been evolved for this information.The web site of the office is totally defunct. It is rumoured that around 3lac cases are pending in the office, with the snail’s pace of revision it would take at least 3 years to clear the mess. One can imagine the shock or disappointment when after three years an old pensioner comes to know that his case is not traceable. Moreso in case of those hapless widows whose husbands die in the interregnum, the AG office should employ more hands and even take the services of those who may have retired recently to quell the situation. It is high time that AG announces an incentive to those of its officers and men who are willing to lend a helping hand by working overtime and on holidays after completing the target laid for them. As they say emergency situations demand emergency solutions.
As regards mess at treasuries it is well described by the author.Hope the Government can consider some tangible reform in the functioning of Treasury system. As an adhoc measure the J and K Bank may be authorised to make these entries. These could subsequently be audited by Treasury auditors. These pension paying branches are representatives/agents of pension and thus they have to do everything for which an old pensioner is unnecessarily harassed. This system is very much in vogue in many State Governments as also in the Central Government.
Will the concerned act?
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