Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Feb 13: Today, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh reiterated Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a humane, citizen-focused administration, emphasizing the government’s dedication to ensuring dignity, ease of living, and financial security for senior citizens.
While addressing the 12th “Pension Adalat,” Dr. Jitendra Singh pointed out that this initiative has not only accelerated grievance resolution but has also strengthened the government’s commitment to recognizing pensioners as valuable contributors to society.
“Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, governance has evolved into a more compassionate and responsive system. Pensioners no longer face bureaucratic hurdles or endure lengthy waits for justice. The government is devoted to facilitating hassle-free living through policy reforms and digital advancements,” Dr. Jitendra Singh stated.
Since the inception of Pension Adalats in 2017, a total of 25,416 cases have been addressed across 12 sessions, with 18,157 cases successfully resolved by various Ministries and Departments. In the 12th Pension Adalat conducted today, the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) handled 192 cases, 151 of which were resolved immediately, demonstrating the effectiveness of this initiative in providing timely justice to pensioners.
The Minister shared multiple instances in which pensioners received much-needed relief. Dr. Arvind Kumar, a retired Associate Professor from the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, faced a denial of leave encashment due to pending administrative action. After being diagnosed with prostate cancer and urgently needing funds, he filed his grievance on the CPENGRAMS portal. The Pension Adalat took up his case, resulting in a favorable decision that ensured the quick disbursement of Rs 26.75 lakh for his medical treatment. Similarly, Anita Kanik Rani, who was denied her family pension for two decades due to a succession certificate issue, had her case accelerated through the Adalat, leading to the sanction of Rs 22 lakh in arrears, offering her significant financial relief.
Other pensioners also reaped the benefits of the initiative. Nirmala Devi, whose pension had not been revised according to the Seventh Pay Commission since 2016, finally had her grievance resolved, resulting in a revised PPO and the release of outstanding arrears. Additionally, Geeta Devi, the mother of a BSF martyr, had only been receiving a standard family pension instead of the entitled Extraordinary Family Pension for 19 years. The Pension Adalat facilitated the necessary correction, ensuring she received her rightful entitlements.
Dr. Jitendra Singh stressed that pension reforms extend beyond financial settlements; they are about rebuilding trust in the system. “These cases exemplify the government’s commitment to a governance model that is not only effective but also compassionate. Pensioners are not merely beneficiaries—they are esteemed citizens who have served the nation,” he remarked.
He also underscored the government’s emphasis on digital reforms to streamline pension processes, including face authentication for digital life certificates, which removes the necessity for pensioners to visit offices. “With increasing life expectancy, pensioners should be viewed as assets rather than dependents. The government is safeguarding their financial security while valuing their ongoing contributions to society,” he added.
Dr. Jitendra Singh commended V. Srinivas, Secretary, DoPPW, and his team, recognizing their dedicated efforts in identifying and resolving long-standing pension grievances. He noted their role in uniting various departments under a single platform, facilitating the real-time resolution of cases, some of which had been pending for decades.
