35°C and Waiting: Elderly pensioners forced to brave heatwave for physical verification

Srinagar, July 25: As temperatures in Srinagar soared to 35 degrees Celsius, retired government employees found themselves battling the heat and a bureaucratic process that many call "outdated and cruel".

Ghulam Muhammad Mir, a retiree, went to the treasury office in Tankipora for mandatory verification. Despite difficulty walking, Mir persevered, only to be turned away at the last moment due to missing documentation.

This scenario is not unique. Thousands of retired pensioners and senior citizens are required to queue outside treasury offices for what has been dubbed a "physical parade" - an in-person verification process necessary to continue their pensions.

"It is ironic that pensioners, both male and female, who are senior citizens, have to go through this ordeal," said Muhammad Maqbool, a pensioner. "They could have done it online, or as we used to do previously, submit life certificates at our respective bank branches from where we draw pensions."

The situation has drawn criticism from various quarters. Apni Party President Altaf Bukhari expressed concern in a social media post, questioning why the Jammu and Kashmir Government hasn't digitized the process "for the convenience of the beneficiaries and all other stakeholders alike."

"The pensioners in Jammu and Kashmir are facing huge inconvenience as they are being made to manually resubmit their documents - to seek continuation of their pension. Many of these beneficiaries are too old and frail to withstand the conditions while they are made to wait for hours altogether especially amid these prevailing hot and uncomfortable weather conditions. It surprises one that at a time when we see technology taking strides ahead in different sectors, why is the Jammu and Kashmir Government not taking any step to lessen the sufferings of these people and digitise the process for the convenience of the beneficiaries and all other stakeholders alike," Bukhari wrote on his X handle.

Youth JKPC President Mudasir Karim has expressed deep concern over the distressing scenes outside JK treasuries, where retired government employees, many of whom are seniors, are queuing up to resubmit documents for pension continuation.

The Secretariat Retired Employee's Welfare Forum has also voiced strong opposition to the Finance Department circular mandating physical verification. They emphasised the need for a more convenient system that doesn't place undue burden on pensioners, especially those facing health challenges.

"We are calling on the Chief Secretary to issue revised instructions modifying the current order. We also appeal to the Lieutenant Governor to intervene and nullify this directive," a spokesperson for the forum stated.

According to official communication from the Finance department, all pensioners and family pensioners must present themselves for physical verification before the Treasury Officer once a year, with the process set to be completed by September 2024. Exemptions are provided for those unable to appear due to illness, old age (80 years and above), or other valid reasons, with treasury staff conducting home visits in such cases.