Srinagar: In a sweeping year-end review, the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare has unveiled a series of significant achievements and initiatives aimed at bolstering the welfare of pensioners and streamlining administrative processes.
The year kicked off with the Chintan Shivir in February 2023, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the crucial need to enhance the well-being of pensioners, setting the stage for a year of impactful activities.
A pivotal moment came on October 23, 2023, with the ANUBHAV Award ceremony, where the Minister of State (PP) bestowed five ANUBHAV Awards and ten Jury Certificates. The ANUBHAV Awardee Speak Webinar series, showcasing retiring government employees, reached its 13th edition in December 2023.
November witnessed the rollout of the Nationwide Digital Life Certificate Campaign 2.0, engaging a staggering 1.17 crore pensioners and incorporating Face Authentication Technology for seamless digital submissions.
Noteworthy policy updates included the release of the CCS (Extra Ordinary Pension) Rules, 2023, marking a historic development after 84 years. Addressing 440 chronic grievances, two All India Pension Adalats provided a platform for resolution.
The ‘Sankalp’ initiative made significant strides, with three Pre-Retirement Counseling (PRC) Workshops benefiting 8,922 officials in 2023. Additionally, two Bankers’ Awareness Programs successfully updated field functionaries on evolving pension rules.
The Integrated Pensioners’ Portal on the Bhavishya platform emerged as a single-window solution, with major banks already integrated. In four cities, ten meetings with Pensioners Welfare Associations ensured the dissemination of vital information regarding pension rules.
The CPENGRAMS Portal emerged as a formidable tool, redressing 72,110 pensioners’ grievances and 11,000 appeals, boasting an impressive average disposal time of 26 days. In a bid to further enhance efficiency, the Feedback Unit, established in September 2023, examined and re-registered cases, ultimately benefiting a multitude of pensioners.
Crucial circulars were issued throughout the year, notably allowing options for NPS-covered employees to shift to the CCS (Pension) Rules, 1972. Additionally, the Central Civil Services (Implementation of NPS) Rules, 2021, underwent necessary updates.
As the curtain falls on 2023, the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare reaffirms its unwavering commitment to enhancing the ease of living for pensioners and ensuring the effective implementation of welfare measures.
