Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has issued very important instructions to the government departments to clear the pension cases on priority. He also asked all the departments to open a ‘pension cell’ and “place a dedicated and experienced staff specifically to deal with pension cases.” This is a very important instruction issued by the DCM and hopefully all the government departments will take initiative to ensure that it is followed in letter and spirit. One of the biggest complaints the government employees have is that they face a lot of hurdles while trying to avail the pension benefits.
Right from the department from which an employee retires to the audit and pension department, the retired employees often allege that they face a lot of harassment. Many of these employees are from far-flung districts of the state and some are native to other states. Just to avail themselves pension, they have to come to Itanagar to clear the official works and spend endless days to get the work done. The state government should be more sympathetic towards these employees. It is good to know that DCM Chowna Mein is aware of the harassment meted out to these retired employees. He has taken a good step for their benefit by passing instructions to the government departments to clear the pension cases on priority. But he should follow up and check whether his instructions are indeed followed by the departments or not.