Union Minister Highlights Role of Pensioners and Elder Citizens in Nation Building at Pre-Retirement Counselling Workshop

Jammu: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, emphasized the crucial role of pensioners and elder citizens in building a developed India by 2047. Speaking at the 54th Pre-Retirement Counselling Workshop organized by the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare at the Convention Centre in Jammu, Dr. Singh highlighted the government’s efforts to simplify pension disbursal procedures and improve the ease of living for beneficiaries.

“The government is utilizing the latest and best available technology to minimize delays and improve administrative procedures concerning pensions,” said Dr. Singh. He reiterated the government’s commitment to leveraging the expertise of retiring employees, integrating them into ‘Team India’ to achieve the goal of a developed nation.

Dr. Singh praised the administrative reforms introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which have eliminated colonial, archaic, and obsolete rules. “These reforms ensure citizen-centric governance, with increased transparency, accountability, and ease of living,” he noted. Dr. Singh also announced new provisions allowing divorced daughters, widows, and spouses of missing or disappeared government servants, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir, to receive pensions.

The Minister highlighted the use of facial recognition technology for issuing Digital Life Certificates (DLC) to pensioners. This innovation aims to prevent fraud and provide ease and comfort, saving time and energy for pensioners. He also mentioned the introduction of human intervention in Artificial Intelligence, a unique initiative designed to gather feedback from complainants through a ‘Human Desk.’

Dr. Singh expressed delight at the success of the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS), an online platform for citizens to lodge grievances related to service delivery. “This success story is being emulated by Bangladesh, the Maldives, and South Africa,” he informed.

The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has been conducting Pre-Retirement Counselling workshops nationwide to facilitate officials nearing retirement. These workshops are a part of the government’s Good Governance initiatives, aimed at ensuring a smooth transition for retiring employees.

During the workshop, participants receive information related to retirement benefits and the pension sanction process. Sessions cover topics such as the BHAVISHYA Portal, Integrated Pensioners Portal, Retirement Benefits, Family Pension, CGHS, Income Tax Rules, ANUBHAV, Digital Life Certificates, and investment opportunities. These sessions are designed to educate retirees about the processes to follow and benefits available post-retirement.

A detailed session on investment planning is also organized, helping retirees plan the investment of their retirement funds. Additionally, the workshop includes a session on the CGHS system, portal, facilities, and procedures to avail CGHS benefits.

Approximately 250 retirees due to retire in the next nine months are expected to benefit from this Pre-Retirement Counselling Workshop. The Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare will continue to hold such workshops to ensure a smooth and comfortable transition for Central Government retirees, keeping them informed of the latest government initiatives.