Pension solutions

There is no doubt that pensioners have been greatly facilitated by the Direct Credit System (DCS). Since this scheme is new, pensioners are facing some teething problems. For example, pensioners are not informed about their pensions having been credited in their banks. Pensioners are compelled to visit their respective banks every month to see if their pensions have been credited or not. The concerned account offices do not issue cheque slips/intimation letters bearing amount of pension. Bank managers are also unaware of the individual direct credit system as respective zonal offices issue combined cheques without mentioning each pensioner. Pensioners also face difficulties regarding attestation of their ‘life certificates’.

In order to overcome these problems, a few steps can be taken easily. For one, pension books can be returned to retirees after endorsing the ‘Last Pay Certificate’. Cheque slips/intimation letters can be issued to each pensioner every month. Attestation of ‘life certificates’ by retired officers of grade 19 and above can be authorised by account offices so that pensioners can easily approach their retired colleagues for this purpose. The other option is to authorise oath commissioners or the notary public for attestation of ‘life certificates’. All pension-paying account offices can be provided email and fax facilities so that certificates are sent quickly. It is hoped that with these measures the difficulties confronted by pensioners can be resolved.

Engr Riaz Akbar

Wah Cantt