DIMAPUR, MARCH 17 (MExN): The Dimapur District Pensioners’ Association (DDPA) has reiterated its denial of collecting Rs. 2000 “from each pensioner in connection with preparation of their pension arrears…” In statement countering its parent body – the Nagaland Pensioners’ Association (NPA), the DDPA maintained that it “has only acted as facilitator between the pensioner concern and the financial expert committee.” The DDPA while alleging the Treasury office of refusing to accept forms for “pre-01.01.2008 ROP for pension/family pension,” claimed that the ‘Financial Expert Committee’ was formed as a result, to assist pensioners in sorting papers “for preparation of their arrear due as per the Government of Nagaland Finance Department notification vide No. FIN/ESTT-2/9/ROP/PEN/2016. Dated Kohima, the 20th December, 2017.” Availing the services of the said committee is however optional, it maintained. Stating that the DDPA has allowed the use of its office to assist pensioners, it added that the association collected Identity Card, D-card fee and annual membership fees as conferred by the constitution of the NPA.
