Kohima, May 28 (MExN): The Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pension) PCDA (P) Allahabad held the 167th Defence Pension Adalat at Manekshaw Auditorium Rangapahar Military Station on May 27 and 28. A press release from PRO (Defence) stated that this was for “in situ” settlement of Pension Related Grievances of Defence Pensioners (including Defence Civilians) residing in the State of Nagaland and the neighbouring Districts of Assam and Manipur. It was also part of the mandated twice yearly such Defence Pension Adalats to be conducted in the North Eastern Region. The previous “166th Defence Pension Adalat” was conducted in April at Rangia Assam. The All Nagaland State Level ESM Rally was also held on May 27 for the benefit of the ESM and their families.
Anuradha Mitra the Addl CGDA New Delhi introduced the soon to be rolled out Comprehensive Pension Package developed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) which will eliminate all intermediaries in the process of Defence Pensions mainly the Pension Disbursement Agencies (PDA) like banks and state treasury offices and ensure timely and correct Direct Beneficiary Transfer (DBT). She also informed about the setting up of customer interaction centres all over the country to provide the human touch for the technological grievance portals.
Wing Commander Rajeev Dong, Director of Sainik Welfare and Resettlement and Rajya Sainik Board Nagaland informed about the facilities provided and encouraged the gathering to make maximum use and to resolve their issues.
Representative of ESM Nagaland Ex Naik Y N Lotha felicitated the dignitaries and put forward points of concern of the ESM. These included increasing the funeral grant to Rs 25,000/- setting up coaching for Military Nursing Service for the Wards of ESM at 165 Military Hospital Rangapahar, a War Cemetery in each Districtof Nagaland to commemorate the sacrifices of the soldiers and continuation of Canteen services pending receipt of renewal Canteen Smart Card.
Representative of Armed Forces Tribunal Guwahati informed about the benefits for the ESM and their next of kin including the orphaned daughters in availing free legal services on service matters and family maintenance cases. Colonel TNK Singh, Deputy Director and Secretary Zila Sainik Board Dimapur reiterated the aims of the ESM rally and the 167th Defence Pension Adalat. Brigadier Rajiv Gautam, Brig A of HQ 3 Corps felicitated the war veterans, veer naaris and widows with gifts. All ESM and families attending the ESM rally were hosted to lunch and presented with mementoes and gifts.
A total of 155 cases were resolved in situ out of 261 cases whilst 106 cases were taken for resolution. A total of 450 ESM and families attended the event on first day and a total of 150 ESM and families attended on the second day. For the first time, real time redressal of pension anomalies of troops and retired personnel located in the far flung areas was carried out through video conferencing.
