Govt eases verification process for elderly pensioners

Srinagar, July 10: Jammu and Kashmir Government has eased the verification process for elderly pensioners of the Union Territory by outlining the procedure for the physical verification of pensioners and family pensioners for the year 2024-25.
As per the official communication, all pensioners and family pensioners must present themselves in person for physical verification before the Treasury Officer once a year.
It said that the verification process is set to commence immediately, with Treasury Officers tasked to complete the verification by the end of September 2024. However, exemptions will be made for pensioners who are unable to appear in person due to illness, old age (80 years and above), or other valid reasons. In such cases, a member of the treasury staff will visit the pensioner’s residence for verification.
It also said that the primary focus will be on pensioners and family pensioners aged 80 and above, ensuring their convenience by conducting verification at their homes. The procedure for pensioners residing abroad will follow Rule 5.80(b) of Treasury Code Volume-I.
Treasury officers and Branch Heads of J&K Bank Business Units are instructed not to request any forms or photographs from the pensioners, it said adding that instead, Branch Heads will hand over the PPO halves to the Treasury Officer, who will then photograph the pensioners and upload the images along with a system-generated certificate on the PPO halves. The certificate will confirm that the pensioner has been verified, either at the treasury or at their residence, and that their entitlement to pension is in order, it said.
Meanwhile the Pensioners have responded positively to this initiative stating that the process ensures that they continue to receive their pensions without unnecessary complications.
A Pensioner from Bandipora while appreciating the initiative told Rising Kashmir that it is reassuring to know that the government is considering their age and health conditions.
However, some have suggested lowering the exemption age. “For many, 70 is the new 80. It would be helpful if the exemption age was lowered to 70 to accommodate more elderly pensioners,” said a family pensioner from Srinagar.
Another pensioner from Budgam, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Lowering the age to 70 would greatly benefit those of us who find it increasingly difficult to travel as we get older.”