Imphal, July 18 (NNN): Representatives of the Manipur State pensioners’ Union today met Governor V. Shanmuganathan here at the Raj Bhavan to voice concern over various issues facing the union. The union informed that its leaders apprised the Governor of the grievances and problems of the state pensioners which need immediate attention. A 16-member team led by its president H. Yaima Singh represented the union in the meeting. The union members were from Imphal East, Imphal West, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Churachandpur, Senapati and Ukhrul districts. The union also said that Shanmuganathan later handed over Rs 1 lakh from his Discretionary Grant Fund to the union leaders as financial assistance to the aggrieved state pensioners. Manipur, which at present has around 48000 pensioners/family pensioners, is the only state in the Northeast where pension preparation is handled by the State Treasury. The state government is often blamed for slowing down the pension payments. Computerisation has also made pension payments much more efficient thereby reducing delays in pension disbursement.
