DIMAPUR, MARCH 22 (MExN): The Dimapur District Pensioner’s Association (DDPA) today issued a statement in response to the ACAUT Nagaland terming the charge of Rs 2000 from pensioners as a “scam.”
A press note from the DDPA said that there are 7,571 registered pensioners in DDPA and not as alleged. “From the given figure again there are categories of pensioners—life pensioners (3780), family pensioners (3791). It is highly appreciable if the ACAUT would get the fact right and not just assume,” the DDPA said.
With regard to bogus beneficiaries, the DDPA informed that pension papers of each pensioner are processed by their concerned department and forwarded to the Accountant General, Nagaland, for fixing the pension; after which it is submitted to the concerned treasury for drawal. The DDPA, it explained, “is just an association which has no role in the process of it.” However, it pointed out that the DDPA “will be very glad to give moral support to the ACAUT if they would further investigate into the issue.”
The DDPA meanwhile referred to the Finance Department’s notice for revision of Pension/Family Pension for Pre-2008 Pensioners/Family Pensioners; and informed that this has been delayed. In this, the association informed that it has “acted as facilitator with the option to avail or not to avail the financial expert committee service by the concerned pensioners of DDPA.” DDPA has no connection with preparation of their pension arrears as alleged/reported, it clarified.
Also questioning the State Treasury Office whether it would issue the said form and prepare arrear for all the concerned DDPA pensioners for free, the DDPA asked if so then the Treasury should commit to this in writing.
It also questioned why the State Treasury Office had to collect the said order only on March 14, 2018 after the DDPA pressed on the issue. The DDPA meanwhile also informed that the association is governed and administered by the constitution of the Nagaland Pensioner’s Association (NPA) and “not by some self styled group of individuals.”
It informed all pensioners in Dimapur that the DDPA would, if approached by any pensioner in the district, help avail pension benefits and help process complaints.
